Give correct information-ESMAZ
The Emerald and Semi-precious stones Miners Association of Zambia- ESMAZ-says some of its members have lost huge sums of money due to wrong geological survey data.Association General Secretary, Victor Kalesha, says geological survey data in some areas which the Ministry of Mines allocated the miners is wrong.
Mr. Kalesha told ZANIS in Ndola that the miners have invested heavily in areas which showed huge deposits of gemstones, but turned out to yield very little.
He said miners have failed to make profit because of the few stones they are producing contrary to data they obtained from the Geological Survey department.
Mr. Kalesha appealed to the Ministry of Mines to conduct fresh geological survey in the affected areas.
He also said the recently opened Gemstone Exchange Centre in Ndola is operating below capacity because of the few stones being supplied by miners.
Mr. Kalesha said the Copperbelt province has 500 gemstone mining licence holders, but only Grizzly and Kagem Mining Companies are in active production.
