Muntanga Case in Siavonga District

On June 20, 2024, FIAN Zambia, conducted a comprehensive training session on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ESCR) for community members from Kasambo, Hamalundu, Chiyobeka, and Muntanga. The training covered the essentials of economic rights, access to health and water, cultural burial rights, and environmental responsibilities of investors like GOVIEX. Community members were informed about the United Nations draft resolution on the environmental aspects of minerals and metals and Zambia's relocation policy. They showed a solid understanding of their rights and responsibilities.

On June 21, 2024, representatives from FIAN Zambia, including Vice Chairperson Simon Mwamba and Programmes Coordinator Mkondo Mukotwe Lwamba, visited the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) office in Chirundu. They met with Inspector Nkole Chanda to discuss actions taken by ZEMA in response to concerns raised in a letter dated March 23, 2023. These concerns relate to mining activities in the villages of Kasambo, Hamalundu, Chiyobeka, Muntanga, and others in the Siavonga District.

On July 2nd 2024, FIAN Zambia and ZEMA conducted a joint inspection at Goviex Uranium site in Siavonga District. The Joint inspection reviewed that a number of holes have not been buried by Goviex Uranium. It also reviewed that Goviex has been drilling near dwellings, risking human and animals. It was reported that the one goat had fallen in the hole and therefore it is also possible that human life can be lost in the same manner. ZEMA also inspected the potential contamination of the local stream. It was agreed that ZEMA will produce a report with action points.