Lusaka, Zambia – April 18, 2024 – Minerals Africa Development Institution (MADI), Hitgalut Consultants Limited, and the Federation of Small Scale Miners Association of Zambia (FSSMAZ) today announced a landmark tripartite agreement aimed at building the productive capacities and technological capabilities of artisanal and small-scale miners in Zambia.
The agreement brings together the expertise and resources of the three organizations to support the formalization, upgrading, and modernization of the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector in Zambia. The goal is to ensure that ASM members mine responsibly, using appropriate technology and meeting minimum environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
Under the agreement, Hitgalut Consultants will source clients and provide administrative services to MADI and FSSMAZ, while MADI will provide its expertise in formalization, upgrading, and modernization, as well as appropriate technology, to FSSMAZ members and Hitgalut clients. FSSMAZ will mobilize its members to access services provided by both Hitgalut and MADI, including capacity building and access to technology.
The parties will collaborate to provide training and workshops to FSSMAZ members to develop their skills and performance in the market. They will also jointly develop and implement projects and mobilize finances and investments for the ASM sector.
“This agreement marks a significant milestone in our efforts to support the growth and development of the ASM sector in Zambia in particular and Africa as a whole,” said Dr. Frank Dixon Mugyenyi, Executive Director of MADI. “We believe that by working together, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of artisanal and small-scale miners and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.”
“We are excited to partner with MADI and FSSMAZ to support the growth and development of local businesses in the mining sector,” said Ms Elizabeth Chilufya Chilangwa, Managing Director of Hitgalut Consultants. “Our goal is to increase the number of local businesses that develop partnerships with international investors and improve their profiles to international standards.”
“This agreement is a game-changer for our members,” said Pastor Joseph Mwansa, President of FSSMAZ. “We believe that by working together, we can build a more responsible and sustainable mining sector that benefits all stakeholders.”
The agreement was signed and came into force on April 18, 2024, in Lusaka, Zambia, and marks the beginning of a new era of collaboration and cooperation between the three organizations.
