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Mining & Natural Resources
Extracted Emeralds under examination
In 2008 the Government through the SEED project
commissioned a study on the establishment of the
Gemmological Institute in Zambia with the aim of re-
sponding to training needs in gemmology, lapidary
and jewellery manufacturing and as well as to stimu-
late confidence in the industry on many world market
players. This will ultimately lead to the development
of downstream industries that will improve gemstone
revenues and contribute to job and wealth creation.
Other notable emerald producers include Grizzly
Mining Limited (‘Grizzly’), which also operates a
large-scale emerald mine located in the NRERA as
well as the largest gemstone washing facility in the
region.
GOLD AND SILVER
Gold is found predominantly along the Mwembeshi
Belt, located in the Central and Eastern provinces,
as well as in North-Western Province. There are
occurrences of silver on the Copperbelt, where it is
produced at a number of copper mines. Silver has
also been found in other regions, including Nyimba
and Petauke in Eastern Province, the Kafue National
Park and the Umba River area.
Zambia’s most important gold mine is Dunrobin Gold
Mine, 120 kilometres west of Lusaka. A project to ex-
tract gold from slag at Dunrobin mine is underway.
Silver is produced at Silver King Mine. Prospecting
and exploration for gold, silver and diamonds is on-
going throughout many parts of the country.
In the last fifteen years, the Government has un-
dertaken several programmes aimed at making the
gemstone-mining sector contribute significantly to
the national economy. Among them are the World
Bank supported SEED Project and Mining Sector
Diversification Programme.