Mining expert Edward Simukonda has backed the call by Chief Shaibila of the Lala people to empower traditional leaders to make final decisions on mining investments in their chiefdoms.
Simukonda says that chiefs are the rightful owners of minerals found in their territories, contrary to the current British-inherited system where the government owns the mines.
He notes that chiefs have been left behind in the mining process, despite being the ones who know their land and resources best.
Simukonda suggests that giving authority back to chiefs would ensure they have control over mining activities in their areas while the government’s role would be to provide oversight and collect taxes on mineral discoveries.
He urges the government to consider the chiefs’ knowledge and authority in mining matters, as they can choose to allow or reject mining in their territories.