Mineworkers Union of Zambia (MUZ) president Joseph Chewe has urged the government to allow small-scale miners to sell gold directly to the state, similar to how small-scale farmers sell maize to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
The call follows an announcement by Bank of Zambia Governor Dr Denny Kalyalya, who said the Central Bank is expanding its domestic gold purchase program to include artisanal miners. The initiative aims to formalise gold trading and ensure greater citizen participation in the sector.
In an interview, Chewe welcomed the move, saying it reflects MUZ’s long-standing advocacy for structured support for small-scale miners. He emphasised that formalising the operations of artisanal miners would curb illegal activities and allow more Zambians to benefit from the country’s mineral resources.
Chewe said the government’s intervention could provide small-scale miners with stable market access, fair pricing, and regulatory protection. He drew a parallel to the FRA model, where farmers have a guaranteed market and can plan production knowing there is government support.
The union leader noted that involving artisanal miners in formal gold trading would also strengthen Zambia’s domestic gold market, improve transparency, and increase revenue collection for the state.
Chewe concluded by urging continued collaboration between the government, financial institutions, and miners to ensure the program benefits local communities and supports sustainable mining practices.