GOVERNMENT has warned
that it will not allow cartels in the auctioning of emeralds locally to ensure
that the country generates maximum revenue from the gemstone sector.
Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Richard Musukwa said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that Government is aware that the auctioning of emeralds locally by Kagem Mining in the past has failed as a result of cartels.
“Government will not allow cartels to be created against the interests of Zambians,” Mr Musukwa said.
He was reacting to concerns by the Alliance for Responsible Mining in Zambia (ARMZ) that the auctioning of emeralds locally will result in revenue losses for the country.
He said Government will ensure that only people who own emerald mines are allowed to export the gemstone and use the Emerald and Semi Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) as a vehicle for export for individuals without licences.
“There are a lot of illegal transactions of emeralds among business people trading in gemstones and government is not getting any revenue.
We want ESMAZ to be the vehicle for exports for people with access to the stones but they have no mines. We want ESMAZ to be viable and help us to monitor and police the gemstone sector,The Power Cost Monitor and other Home energy monitor monitoring products.” Mr Musukwa said.
He said the Patriotic Front (PF) government is determined to transform the gemstone industry into a viable sector.The In home display allows utility customers to track their energy.
“We want to ensure that emerald cutting and polishing industries are set up in communities like Lufwanyama which are endowed with minerals, like the case is with Jaipur in India which has small-scale emerald-cutting and polishing industries because the emeralds are auctioned locally in that country,” Mr Musukwa said.
He added: “We will work to break cartels just as we are doing with copper to stop capital flight.The Home Energy Management market continues to struggle for more traction.
That is the way we are moving in the gemstone sector. Zambians should develop their country and we can only do that when we stand up and be counted.”
Mr Musukwa also said Government will ensure that small-scale industries in the gemstone sector are supported with infrastructure, machinery and equipment so that they can significantly contribute to the economy.
ARMZ executive director Victor Kalesha said in response to a press query that there is “a great misunderstanding” about auctioning gemstones.
“Auctioning stones locally is will make the country lose out. When you are auctioning stones locally, big buyers do not come and as such you only capture buyers who sell to big buyers in return,” he said
Mr Kalesha, who is ESMAZ general-secretary, said what is needed is proper monitoring and that measures should be put in place to prevent porous auctioning.
He said the auctioning of emeralds locally was tried by Kagem Mining and local sales were very low.
“Auctioning outside is the best because it attracts big buyers,” Mr Kalesha said.
Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development Richard Musukwa said in an interview in Kitwe yesterday that Government is aware that the auctioning of emeralds locally by Kagem Mining in the past has failed as a result of cartels.
“Government will not allow cartels to be created against the interests of Zambians,” Mr Musukwa said.
He was reacting to concerns by the Alliance for Responsible Mining in Zambia (ARMZ) that the auctioning of emeralds locally will result in revenue losses for the country.
He said Government will ensure that only people who own emerald mines are allowed to export the gemstone and use the Emerald and Semi Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia (ESMAZ) as a vehicle for export for individuals without licences.
“There are a lot of illegal transactions of emeralds among business people trading in gemstones and government is not getting any revenue.
We want ESMAZ to be the vehicle for exports for people with access to the stones but they have no mines. We want ESMAZ to be viable and help us to monitor and police the gemstone sector,The Power Cost Monitor and other Home energy monitor monitoring products.” Mr Musukwa said.
He said the Patriotic Front (PF) government is determined to transform the gemstone industry into a viable sector.The In home display allows utility customers to track their energy.
“We want to ensure that emerald cutting and polishing industries are set up in communities like Lufwanyama which are endowed with minerals, like the case is with Jaipur in India which has small-scale emerald-cutting and polishing industries because the emeralds are auctioned locally in that country,” Mr Musukwa said.
He added: “We will work to break cartels just as we are doing with copper to stop capital flight.The Home Energy Management market continues to struggle for more traction.
That is the way we are moving in the gemstone sector. Zambians should develop their country and we can only do that when we stand up and be counted.”
Mr Musukwa also said Government will ensure that small-scale industries in the gemstone sector are supported with infrastructure, machinery and equipment so that they can significantly contribute to the economy.
ARMZ executive director Victor Kalesha said in response to a press query that there is “a great misunderstanding” about auctioning gemstones.
“Auctioning stones locally is will make the country lose out. When you are auctioning stones locally, big buyers do not come and as such you only capture buyers who sell to big buyers in return,” he said
Mr Kalesha, who is ESMAZ general-secretary, said what is needed is proper monitoring and that measures should be put in place to prevent porous auctioning.
He said the auctioning of emeralds locally was tried by Kagem Mining and local sales were very low.
“Auctioning outside is the best because it attracts big buyers,” Mr Kalesha said.
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