Government has ordered illegal gold miners operating at the new Mufumbwe site in Chisamba district to immediately halt activities as efforts intensify to formalise the mining sector.

Chisamba District Commissioner Joel Mboyoma warned that the government will not tolerate illegal mining due to its danger to human life and the environment.

Mr Mboyoma directed the miners to form cooperatives and obtain the necessary permits, adding that sanitation facilities must be installed to prevent disease outbreaks before mining can resume.

Addressing miners at the New Mufumbwe Gold Mine in Chief Chamuka’s area, Mr Mboyoma also cautioned against continued encroachment and reports of miners carrying guns and pangas.

He emphasised that mining activities will only resume once all legal requirements are met, warning that failure to comply will result in the application of the law.

Earlier, Chief Chamuka’s adviser, Daniel Yumba, expressed concern over the vandalism of roads and the presence of weapons among some miners, describing the situation as foreign to the local community.

Meanwhile, Small and Medium Enterprises District Cooperative and Entrepreneurship Development Inspector Lewis Kapalu revealed that the processing period for cooperative certificates has been reduced from 21 working days to three due to increased demand.

Mr Kapalu said a minimum of ten members and a K700 fee are required to register a cooperative.

And Kabuyole Multi-Purpose Cooperative Treasurer Kennedy Chilima praised the District Commissioner and his team for promoting safe mining practices, pledging full compliance with government guidelines.