Four Chinese men and a Zambian have been arrested in Central Province for allegedly defying a mining suspension of manganese in Mkushi District.
The Chinese were identified by Mkushi District Commissioner Jonathan Kapungwe, as Limin Xin, Jiang Li Jun, Jiang Hua, and Cheng We Guo while the Zambian was Reeves Malambo, arrested for aiding illegal mining activities.
Mr. Kapungwe said this when Central Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Godfrey Chitambala paid a courtesy call on him in Mkushi on Thursday.
Mr. Kapungwe said the five had been arrested for allegedly disrespecting the suspension of mining activities with impunity.
He noted that illegal mining activities had an impact on the lives of people as effluents from the digging sites were discharged into the Chibefwe River, which was the only source of water for Mkushi residents.
Green Economy and Environmental Minister Collins Nzovu directed that all manganese mining be ceased due to a lack of legal backing to support the activities.
He announced the stoppage of mining activities involving 13 small-scale mine owners.
Mr. Chitambala commended the district administration for pushing to ensure that there was order in the mining sector, especially firms involved in the small-scale mining of minerals.
Mr. Chitambala said the Government would not allow people who established investments without respecting procedure.-ZANIS
