Mining induced displacement and resettlement (MIDR): a case of Muzabula compound in Solwezi mining district Zambia

Abstract

Liberalisation of the economy in the early 2000s by the Zambian government led to the privatisation of the State owned mining assets. Kansanshi Mine in Solwezi, North-western province of Zambia was sold to First Quantum. When the company started mining in 2004, some families in Muzabula compound that where in proposed mining area were displaced. Mining induced displacement and resettlement (MIDR) led to loss of socio-cultural, economic and environmental aspects of the displaced families thereby affecting their livelihood. Included was loss of land, common property resources, and disruption of social networks, loss of traditional authority and identity and destruction of forests and loss of access to the river. The objective of the research was to evaluate the impact of MIDR on the livelihood of the displaced community of Muzabula Compound. The conceptual and theoretical framework was based on the ‘Impoverishment Risks and Reconstruction model’ that looks at impoverishment risk assessment of socio-cultural, economic and environmental aspect in its analysis that arise from displacement. Qualitative research methods were used to collect data through semi structured interviews with the community, mine representative and government officials. A total number of forty-seven participants took part in the interviews. Grounded theory was used for data analysis and interpretation. Displacement took place in two phases, in 2004 at the beginning of mining and in 2015 during the construction of the smelter road. During the first phase, people were compensated in form of money at $3190 (US Dollars) per 50 x 50 metres of land. The amount included houses, fruit trees, fields and whatever was on the land. The second phase, compensation was in form of good concrete houses better than the mad houses demolished and help in farming inputs and skills. The displaced families who were subsistence farmers improved their produce. The first displacement resulted in increased risks of impoverishment for the displaced due to loss of livelihood as the displaced families were not involved in the planning. The second displacement was properly planned and improved the displaced families’ livelihood. Planning must include all stakeholders who are the community, the government, Civil Society like the Church, Non-Governmental Organisations working in the community and the Mining Company officials. The 96 interests of the community to be displaced must be considered as a first priority. The paper concludes that Government must adhere to policies that govern mining displacement and resettlement to reduce on loss of livelihood for the displaced. In the first displacement this was not considered as the displaced families were not engaged in any planning meetings and were just informed by the government officials and traditional leadership that they will be displaced and compensated.