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Zambia to finalize computerizing mining licensing system next year

Xinhua, December 17, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Zambian government said on Friday that it intends to finalize the computerization of its mining licensing system next year.

Minister of Mines and Minerals Development Christopher Yaluma said it will complete the computerization and online mining licensing system next year which will result in the timely and speedy process of processing licenses.

The computerization process would, among other things, attract more investment into the mining sector and enhance transparency in the issuance of licenses.

"This will attract more investment into the mining sector and will increase revenue generation through license fees, area charges and other statutory instruments," he said in a ministerial statement delivered in parliament.

The computerization process, he said, would include a survey of mine plots, development of an online portal for application and payments, decentralization of the system to regional mining bureaus.

The issuance of mining licenses has been embroiled in controversy over the years, with reports of corruption.

In 2015, the government suspended the issuance of the licenses in order to clean up the system but the suspension was lifted early this year. Endit