Ten solitary streetlights stand amidst vast emptiness, offering a hesitant welcome to visitors in Lufwanyama.
In a district adorned with an impressive 400 mining licenses and ten active mines, such scenes of profound desolation serve as a poignant reminder of the paradoxical nature of Lufwanyama.
Despite being celebrated as the 'richest' district in Zambia, courtesy of its abundant emerald deposits, the reality on the ground paints a starkly different picture. Deep-rooted poverty pervades the community, its residents grappling with the harsh realities of deprivation amidst the promise of immense wealth lying beneath their feet.
In March, a team from MakanDay embarked on a journey to Lufwanyama, aiming to establish the extent of poverty affecting its communities. What they encountered deeply unsettled them, sparking a subdued contemplation of the glaring disparities that characterise life in this mining district.
A Jewel in the Rough: The Emerald Mines of Lufwanyama
Lufwanyama district in Zambia is home to renowned emerald deposits, attracting both local miners and international investors. Traditional small-scale mining has given way to large-scale operations led by companies like Grizzly Mining and Kagem Mine under Gemfields ownership. Kagem Mine, the world's largest emerald mine, has made significant discoveries like the legendary Insofu ('elephant') and the majestic Inkalamu ('lion'). The latest addition to Kagem's collection is the stunning Chipembele, discovered in July 2021. I
n November 2022, Kagem Mining achieved a milestone by selling The Kafubu Cluster for USD$8 million, setting a record for the most expensive single emerald item sold by Gemfields.
This underscores the significant value of Zambia's emerald industry, with sales exceeding the projected 2024 budget of K83.5 million for Lufwanyama Town Council.
Beyond the allure of these remarkable gemstones, Kagem mines' impact extends beyond its glittering treasures. As an integral part of Lufwanyama's economy, Kagem mining provides employment opportunities and has invested in community infrastructure, including a school and a clinic. Additionally, plans are underway to establish a skills training centre for youth, although curiously, mining will not be included among the courses offered—an intriguing aspect warranting further exploration.
While the wealth generated by Grizzly and Kagem mining companies has brought prosperity to some, many residents still struggle with poverty and inadequate infrastructure. This underlines the pressing need for equitable development and sustainable practices within the mining industry.
As the MakanDay team explored the narratives of the two mines, they were struck by the complex dynamics between affluence and destitution, advancement and stagnation. However, amidst Lufwanyama's complexities, one truth emerges—the gemstone riches of the mines signify the district's vast potential, poised to illuminate the lives of all its inhabitants.
Our guide, Caleb Kambafwile, an unemployed youth, attests that in his decade-long residency in Lufwanyama, he has never encountered or heard of any local residents employed by Grizzly or Kagem.
"Even for security roles, it's personnel from outside that guard the mines; there are no locals employed, not even as guards," Kambafwile lamented. "Perhaps the locals are deemed unfit, but I know numerous youths here who are educated and capable of filling these roles.”
However, Chief Lumpuma disputed this statement during a telephone interview with MakanDay. He mentioned that the two mining companies had previously employed "one or two" locals and provided assistance to his chiefdom upon request.
“My people have received a lot of help from Kagem and Grizzly. If you remember a few years ago, we had army worms. Do you know who helped us with insecticide? He asked. “It’s the same mines,” Chief Lumpuma reported.
“If you have time, move around, you will see schools that have received help from the mines. It is not true to say communities don’t benefit, we have a very good relationship with the mines.”
Chief Lumpuma co-hosts the esteemed Kagem Mining Ltd alongside his counterpart, Chief Nkana, who recently faced legal proceedings after the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) froze his account upon receiving $3 million. Chief Nkana defended himself in court, asserting that the funds stemmed from the sale of his mining license to Pridegem Mining Limited, a subsidiary of Grizzly Mining Limited.
It appears evident that the widespread poverty affecting the majority of Lufwanyama's 1.3 million residents (according to the 2021 Census) does not extend to traditional leaders.
The MakanDay team was eager to witness the open-pit mines firsthand, where emeralds adorn the fingers, necks, and various other body parts of the world's elite and renowned. However, they quickly realised that the mine was located in a restricted area accessible only to authorized staff members.
To be continued in Part II...
