Zambian police disperse more than 25,000 illegal gold miners in northwest

Reuters

Zambian authorities have cleared more than 25,000 illegal miners from a gold-rich area in Mufumbwe District, northwest Zambia.

The operation covered a 120-kilometre radius around Kikonge, where recent clashes resulted in two deaths and injuries to 11 police officers. Police also seized more than 20 vehicles, 100 scanning machines and gold detectors, and five firearms, some described by officials as “military-grade.”

Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu, who visited the area with Defence Minister Ambrose Lufuma and North-Western Province Minister Robert Lihefu, said more security reinforcements will be sent to tackle ongoing illegal mining.

Officials said Kikonge had been invaded by more than 50,000 illegal miners before the crackdown. Two seriously injured officers are receiving hospital treatment.

The Ministry of Defence said the site is now cordoned off to allow formal mining operations to start. Minister Lufuma highlighted the negative impact of illegal mining, including government revenue loss and environmental damage, and warned that lawlessness will not be tolerated.

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