The Minerals Regulation Commission (MRC) of Zambia has reviewed 823 pending mining and non-mining rights applications as part of efforts to clear a backlog that accumulated in 2025.
The review, conducted by the Mining and Non-Mining Rights Licensing Committee over the past two weeks, represents about 50 percent of the 1,672 outstanding applications awaiting consideration.
The applications reviewed included 462 Artisanal Mining Rights, 164 Large-Scale Exploration Licences and 192 Small-Scale Exploration Licences.
Of the 462 artisanal mining applications considered, the Commission approved 305, representing 66 percent of the total. A further 151 applications were deferred to allow applicants to submit additional documentation, while six were rejected for failing to meet statutory requirements.
The approved artisanal mining rights comprise 68 mining cooperatives and 237 individual licence holders. The Commission said 33.7 percent of the individual licences awarded went to women, highlighting efforts to expand participation and inclusivity within Zambia’s mining industry.
In the large-scale exploration category, 14 applications were approved, 139 were deferred pending further information, and 11 were rejected due to non-compliance with licensing requirements.
For small-scale exploration licences, 125 applications were approved, 26 deferred, and 41 rejected after failing to satisfy statutory requirements.
The MRC said the licensing exercise forms part of a broader drive to formalise mining activities, improve transparency in the sector and encourage responsible mineral development.
The Commission added that clearing the backlog would help combat informal mining operations while increasing citizen participation in Zambia’s mineral sector.
Successful applicants have been advised to comply with licence conditions, while applicants whose submissions were deferred have been encouraged to provide outstanding documentation to enable further assessment.
The MRC, whose Board was constituted in May 2026, said it remains committed to completing the review of the remaining applications while ensuring fairness, accountability and transparency in the licensing process.
