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Zambia launches initiative to monitor minerals exported

Xinhua, April 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Zambian government has launched a hand-held fluorescence mineral analyzer equipment to monitor minerals exported, state broadcaster reported on Friday.

The initiative, which is part of a program known as the Mineral Value Chain Monitoring Project, will help the government monitor quality and movement of minerals being exported out of the country.

Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba said Zambia has not had an independent mechanism to monitor the mining industry and did not know the qualities and quantities of minerals that were being exported out of the country.

The official said not knowing the qualities of minerals being exported has left various regulatory agencies in a quandary and forced them to depend on mineral exporters through self-declaration systems, reported the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation.

The initiative, he said, will enable government to have accurate and reliable information on the mining industry for better engagement of different players in the sector.

Berlin Msiska, the commissioner general of the country's tax agency, said the equipment will help the agency to verify on the spot the quality of minerals exported.

According to him, 18 analyzers have been procured and have been distributed to relevant government agencies while officers have been trained on how to use the equipment. Endit