Mining with dignity

On the outskirts of Mufulira District is a story of courage, transformation, and empowerment. Over the years, a group of determined women worked for years in the business of mining silica and selling their minerals to middlemen for as low as K100 per tonne. Known as the Zimba Women in Mining, this group of women had the strength and skills to contribute to the mining industry by supplying silica, yet they lacked the recognition, voice, and opportunity to benefit fairly from their work.
With support from ActionAid Zambia on the Swedish-funded CSO Strengthening Project, this group of women received training in Natural Resource Governance, Advocacy, and Safe Mining Practices. This training was facilitated by Future-Preneurs, one of ActionAid Zambia’s partners supported to facilitate such tremendous works on the Copperbelt province. The women learnt about their rights, environmental protection, and how to engage duty bearers with confidence. 
What began as a simple awareness session became a turning point for this group of women from Mufulira as they came together and registered as Zimba Mining Cooperative. This act helped these women secure an Artisanal Mining License, their first step into formalized mining. This achievement changed everything as it opened an opportunity for them to formally trade with Mopani Copper Mines by being direct suppliers of silica and cutting out exploitative group of middlemen. As such, their income tripled as they began selling silica for the actual price of K350 per ton, directly to buyers.