The Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights, Gender Matters and Child Affairs held a two day knowledge and lesson sharing seminar on the Implications of the Extractive Industrial activities on Human Rights.  The seminar was held from 29th to 30th April, 2017 at Chita Lodge in Kafue.  

Speaking during the official opening of the seminar, National Assembly Deputy Clerk- Procedure, Mr Roy Ngulube stated that the seminar was timely because natural resource exploitation and extraction was a fast growing industry in Zambia and Africa.  He added that the extraction of these resources has potential to increase income which would in turn contribute to development.

He noted that, despite these gains which also include creation of jobs, accelerated infrastructure development and enhanced revenue through taxes, mines have also caused environmental degradation, pollution and general disturbance of the eco-systems, and the displacement of local communities.

Mr Ngulube therefore urged the Members of Parliament to incorporate citizen feedback into decision making around the mining sector and build public awareness about the challenges and opportunities associated with natural resource management.

The seminar that was supported by the National Assembly and GIZ Programme for Legal Empowerment and Enhanced Justice Delivery (PLEED) project was facilitated by technocrats from the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), and Actionaid-Zambia. The seminar is a precursor for the study that the Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights, Gender Matters and Child Affairs is scheduled to undertake which includes among others, public participation and engagement through public hearings on the subject.