THAT over K165 million is suspected to have been lost to illegal mining in precious metals and stones last year makes sad reading.It is a stark reminder that the authorities have failed to safeguard the country’s precious resources and allowed crooks to take centre-stage.This is daylight robbery that should not have been allowed had measures been taken to safeguard the country’s mineral resources.According to the 2020 Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) trends report, of the K3.1 billion worth of suspicious transactions, K165 million was lost to illegal mining in precious metals and stones.We are not surprised at all for we have in the past appealed to the authorities to ensure that the government steps up security in regions where precious minerals have been discovered.We are all aware how traditional leaders in the Eastern Province repeatedly complained about the influx of foreigners from neighbouring countries who had invaded their chiefdoms to mine for gold.Some foreigners even had […]
NO MORE!
