Mineral Resources Development Policy.

This Mineral Resources Development Policy is a nationwide sectoral document reviewing the 1995 Mining Policy. The change in the title to Mineral Resources Development Policy has been necessitated by the need to reflect the diversity of operations associated with mining such as mineral prospecting, exploration, mining, processing and metal treatment operations. It emphasizes the government's commitment to fostering a dynamic private sector and public-private partnerships within the mining industry to boost GDP and provide stable employment opportunities. The primary goal is to create an environment conducive to the efficient and profitable operation of both small and large-scale mining ventures, thereby contributing significantly to economic growth and wealth creation. The Ministry of Mines, Energy, and Water Development plays a pivotal role in promoting and regulating mining activities to enhance the sector's economic impact.
The Government for the mining sector set out the following objectives are (i) attract and encourage local and foreign private sector participation in the exploration for and commercial exploitation of Zambia's mineral resources; (ii) facilitate the empowerment of Zambians to become owners/shareholders in the mining industry; (iii) promote the development of a mining sector, integrated in the domestic economy, that promotes local entrepreneurship, increases demand for local goods and services, creates employment for Zambians, and also promotes value-addition; (iv) encourage orderly and sustainable development of small-scale mining sub-sector to enable it contribute to economic development and wealth creation; (v) achieve a socially and internationally acceptable balance between mining and the bio-physical environment and to ensure acceptable standards of health, safety and environmental protection; (vi) promote Research and Development (R&D) in the sector; (vii) encourage mining companies to develop a participatory and collaborative approach to mine planning, development and decommissioning taking into account the needs and concerns of local communities; (viii) ensure transparency and accountability in the management of mineral resources in the country.