[{"bbox": [97, 153, 1135, 299], "category": "Text", "text": "employees and contractors. Such investments in human capital – through formal training activities as well as “learning on the job” – create a direct benefit for mining companies, but also have positive externalities for the country as a whole. Government agencies, mining companies and educational institutions collaborate to provide training programmes to equip the industry with the necessary skills, e.g. geology, mining engineering, environmental management, health and safety."}, {"bbox": [97, 327, 1008, 355], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## Partnership on the Development of Critical Raw Materials Value Chains (“CRM MoU”)"}, {"bbox": [97, 356, 1135, 674], "category": "Text", "text": "The EU and Zambia have signed in October 2023 a MoU, “Establishing a Partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains (“CRM MoU”). This MoU, together with the Roadmap of specific actions agreed by the EU and the Government of Zambia, and together with the MoU on the Lobito Corridor, also signed in October 2023, helps focus the cooperation between EU and Zambia around this strategic partnership, through an integrated approach to governance, business and people. Strategic partnerships to pool resources, technology and finance, are recognized as crucial elements within the CRM value chains, yet they require a sustainable development approach that considers the unique needs of partner countries. Furthermore, it is imperative to establish clear definitions of value addition and implement robust mechanisms to ensure the active involvement of civil society and indigenous peoples, both within the EU and partner countries. These partnerships must transcend mere economic analysis and encompass human rights, indigenous peoples’ rights and environmental frameworks on an international scale."}, {"bbox": [97, 704, 241, 730], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## Private sector"}, {"bbox": [97, 732, 1135, 992], "category": "Text", "text": "Zambia economy is among the least diversified in the region. It is also characterised mostly by SME that represent the 90% of the private sector. While the mining sector is dominated by international corporations, there are Zambian SME along all value chain, from contractors, to miners, to metal processors and manufacturing. Like most of the private sector, these enterprises suffer from limited access to finance, complex business regulatory framework, reduced linkage to regional and international market. The strong ecosystem around mining, including in the financial sector, represent an opportunity to support consolidation and further development the local SMEs (including those leaded by women and youth) working in CRM by stimulating market linkages, opening new business opportunities for all, such as in circular economy, creating equal access to finance and to appropriate technical assistance."}, {"bbox": [97, 1021, 602, 1048], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## Environmental protection and mining operations"}, {"bbox": [97, 1050, 1135, 1454], "category": "Text", "text": "The action aims to the formalisation of informal and illegal mining operations, first by targeting the ASM sector and secondly by improving the governance of the mining sector in general. By entering the formal sector, mining operations will be subject to the legislation in force. There is a rich (though poorly enforced) legislation in Zambia that aims to protect the environment from the negative effects of mining as for instance: i) Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2015, that requires mining companies to follow environmental best practices, mandates Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) before the issuance of mining licenses and establishes environmental protection funds to address environmental damage; ii) the Environmental Management Act of 2011 requires EIAs for significant developmental projects, including in mining, and imposes strict regulations on waste management, air quality and pollution control; iii) the Forests Act of 2015 protects forests from degradation due to mining-related deforestation and requires companies to obtain permits for deforestations, mandating in exchange reforestation efforts; iv) the Zambian Wildlife Act of 2015 protects wildlife and their habitats from adverse impacts of mining activities and requires mining companies operating near wildlife reserves to implement conservation measures."}, {"bbox": [97, 1455, 1135, 1629], "category": "Text", "text": "Through formalisation of illegal and artisanal mining, the Zambia Environmental Agency will be able to exercise its mandate and enforce compliance with environmental standards. In addition, the skills building component targeting ASM will also contribute to the awareness of environmental damage caused by the operations, as well as will support the implementation of best environmental practices. Also, the empowerment of communities as rights holders, will be key for increasing advocacy against mining-related environmental degradation."}, {"bbox": [604, 1654, 629, 1676], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "10"}]