Government To Hand Over Lucrative 'Black Mountain' To Youths

Christopher Yaluma

By Paul Shalala in Kitwe

The Zambian government has revealed that it is in the process of issuing mining licences to youths of Kitwe's Wusakile township to start mining the famous Black Mountain.

Youths in the area have been fighting to take over the black mountain which is believed to be holding minerals worth billions of kwacha.

The Black Mountain

In an interview, Mines Minister Christopher Yaluma says the mining licences will allow the youths exploit the former mine to find start up capital to open other businesses.

"We want the youths to be united, form cooperatives and then we can grant them licences to mine and find income to dio businesses," said Mr Yaluma.

Wusakile ward councillor Davies Simunyola has welcomed government's new position saying it will go a long way in keeping the youths active and beneficial to the economy.

Mr Simunyola says he has had a tough time calming down the youths not to turn violent in their quest to take over the black mountain.

And Riverside ward councillor Christopher Kangombe says empowering the youths with the black Mountain will help improve people's living standards in Kitwe.

Meanwhile, Mulotwa Sichalwe who is one of the youths advocating for the Black Mountain, has appealed to government to provide protective clothing to the youths who will be given mining licences.

Mr Sichalwe says the current mining methods at the black Mountain are not safe as they pose as a health hazard to the illegal miners.