The Geological Minerals Development Act ,2025

THE GEOLOGICAL MINERALS DEVELOPMENT
ACT, 2025
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section
PART I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. Short title and commencement
2. Interpretation
PART II
ADMINISTRATION
3. Appointment of Directors
4. Designation of authorised officer
5. Powers of authorised officer
PART III
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
6. Functions of Director of Geological Survey
7. Geological survey, mapping and exploration
PART IV
ARTISANAL AND SMALL-SCALE MINING
8. Functions of Director of Artisanal and Small-Scale mining
9. Functions of Director of Large-Scale Mining and Mineral
Investment Promotion
10. Preference for Zambian products, contractors and services
and employment of citizens
11. Restrictions on removal of minerals
PART V
ARTISANAL AND SMALL-SCALE MINING FUND
12. Establishment of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Fund
13. Management of Fund
14. Accounts and audit
15. Annual report
Geological and Minerals Development [No. 2 of 2025 45

PART VI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
16. Guidelines
17. Prohibition of publication or disclosure of information to
unauthorised persons
18. Immunity
19. Regulations
46 No. 2 of 2025] Geological and Minerals Development

of publication or disclosure of information to
unauthorised persons
18. Immunity
19. Regulations
46 No. 2 of 2025] Geological and Minerals Development

Enactment
An Act to provide for the geological survey, mapping and
exploration in the Republic; provide for the establishment
of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Fund and provide
for matters connected with, or incidental to, the foregoing. [ 15th April, 2025
ENACTED by the Parliament of Zambia. PART I
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
1. This Act may be cited as the Geological and Minerals
Development Act, 2025 and shall come into operation on the date
appointed by the Minister, by statutory instrument. 2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires—
“appropriate authority” has the meaning assigned to the words
in the Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“artisanal mining” has the meaning assigned to the words in
the Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“authorised officer” means a public officer or other person
designated as authorised officer under section 4;
“citizen empowered company” has the meaning assigned to
the words in the Citizen Economic Empowerment Act,
2006;
“citizen influenced company” has the meaning assigned to
the words in the Citizen Economic Empowerment Act,
2006;
Geological and Minerals Development [No.

izen influenced company” has the meaning assigned to
the words in the Citizen Economic Empowerment Act,
2006;
Geological and Minerals Development [No.

2 of 2025 47
Short title
and
commen-
cement
Interpretation
Act No. 14
of 2024
Act No.9 of
2006
GOVERNMENT OF ZAMBIA
ACT
No. 2 of 2025
Date of Assent: 8th April, 2025
Act No. 14
of 2024
Act No.9 of
2006

etation
Act No. 14
of 2024
Act No.9 of
2006
GOVERNMENT OF ZAMBIA
ACT
No. 2 of 2025
Date of Assent: 8th April, 2025
Act No. 14
of 2024
Act No.9 of
2006

“citizen owned company” has the meaning assigned to the
words in the Citizen Economic Empowerment Act, 2006;
“Commission” means the Minerals Regulation Commission
established under the Minerals Regulation Commission
Act, 2024;
“exploration area” has the meaning assigned to the words in
the Mineral Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“exploration licence” means an exploration licence granted
under the Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“exploration” has the meaning assigned to the word in the
Mineral Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“formalisation” means the process of changing informal
artisanal and small scale mining activities to comply with
the Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“Fund” means the Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Fund
established under section 12;
“holder” has the meaning assigned to the word in the Minerals
Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“mineral” has the meaning assigned to the Minerals
Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“mineral processing licence” has the meaning assigned to
the words in the Minerals Regulation Commission Act,
2024;
“mineral processing operation” has the meaning assigned to
the words in the Minerals Regulation Commission Act,
2024;
“mining” has the meaning assigned to the word in the
Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“mining area” has the meaning assigned to the words in the
Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“mining operations” has the meaning assigned to the words
in the Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“mining right” means a right granted under Part III of the
Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“non-mining right” means a right granted under section 11(2)
of the Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“ore” has the meaning assigned to the word in the Minerals
Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
Act No.

)
of the Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“ore” has the meaning assigned to the word in the Minerals
Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
Act No.

14
of 2024
Act No. 14
of 2024
Act No. 14
of 2024
Act No. 14
of 2024
Act No. 14
of 2024
Act No. 14
of 2024
Act No. 14
of 2024
Act No. 14 of
2024
Act No. 14 of
2024
Act No. 14 of
2024
Act No. 14 of
2024
48 No. 2 of 2025] Geological and Minerals Development
Act No. 9 of
2006
Act No. 14 of
2024
Act No. 14
of 2024
Act No. 14
of 2024
Act No. 14
of 2024

24
48 No. 2 of 2025] Geological and Minerals Development
Act No. 9 of
2006
Act No. 14 of
2024
Act No. 14
of 2024
Act No. 14
of 2024
Act No. 14
of 2024

“radioactive mineral” has the meaning assigned to the words
in the Minerals Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“public officer” has the meaning assigned to words in the
Constitution;
“small-scale mining” has the meaning assigned to the words
in the Mineral Regulation Commission Act, 2024;
“State institution” has the meaning assigned to words in the
Constitution; and
“Zambia Development Agency” means the Zambia Development
Agency established under the Zambia Development Agency
Act, 2022. PART II
ADMINISTRATION
3. (1) The Civil Service Commission shall appoint as public
officers in the ministry responsible for Mines, the—
(a) Director of Geological Survey;
(b) Director of Artisanal, Small Scale Mining and Value
Addition;
(c) Director of Large-Scale Mining and Mineral Investment
Promotion; and
(d) such other public officers as may be necessary for the
proper administration of this Act. (2) The Directors referred to in subsection (1) (a) (b) and (c)
shall exercise and perform the powers and functions conferred on
them by or under this Act. 4.

Directors referred to in subsection (1) (a) (b) and (c)
shall exercise and perform the powers and functions conferred on
them by or under this Act. 4.

(1) The Minister may, by Gazette notice, designate a public
officer to be an authorised officer for the purpose of the exercise
and performance of any of the functions conferred on an authorised
officer under this Act. (2) The Director shall, issue to an authorised officer an identity
card which shall be prima facie evidence of the authorised officer’s
appointment. (3) An authorised officer, shall in performing a function under
this Act—
(a) be in possession of the identity card referred to under
subsection (2); and
(b) show the identity card to a person who requests to see it
or who is subject to an investigation under this Act. Act No. 14 of
2024
Cap. 1
Cap.1
Act No. 17
of 2022
Appointment
of Directors
Designation
of
authorised
officer
Geological and Minerals Development [No. 2 of 2025 49
Act No. 14 of
2024

Act No. 17
of 2022
Appointment
of Directors
Designation
of
authorised
officer
Geological and Minerals Development [No. 2 of 2025 49
Act No. 14 of
2024

(4) The Minister may, by direction in writing and on conditions
that the Minister considers necessary, assign a public officer from
the ministry responsible for mines, or an authorised officer, to an
institution to perform any of the functions conferred on an
authorised officer. 5.

the ministry responsible for mines, or an authorised officer, to an
institution to perform any of the functions conferred on an
authorised officer. 5.

(1) Subject to and for purposes of this Act, an authorised
officer may, at any reasonable time with a warrant, enter on a mining
area or any premises to—
(a) inspect the area, premises or workings and examine
exploration, mining or mineral processing operations
or the treatment of minerals at the area or
premises;
(b) ascertain whether or not any nuisance exists on the area,
land or mine or in the premises or workings;
(c) give directions and take steps to enforce any provision of
this Act or to abate or remove any nuisance;
(d) take soil samples or specimens of rocks, ore concentrates,
tailings, minerals or any other material from the area,
premises or workings for the purpose of examination
or assay;
(e) examine books, accounts, vouchers, documents, maps,
drilling logs or records of any kind;
(f) take extract from, or make copies of, any book, document,
map or record; and
(g) obtain any information necessary for the purposes of this
Act.

d;
(f) take extract from, or make copies of, any book, document,
map or record; and
(g) obtain any information necessary for the purposes of this
Act.

(2) An authorised officer who removes anything from any land,
building or premises shall—
(a) issue a receipt for anything removed to the owner or the
person in control of the land, building or premises; and
(b) return anything removed as soon as practicable after the
thing removed has served the purpose for which it was
removed. 50 No. 2 of 2025] Geological and Minerals Development
Powers of
authorised
officers

the
thing removed has served the purpose for which it was
removed. 50 No. 2 of 2025] Geological and Minerals Development
Powers of
authorised
officers

PART III
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
6.

PART III
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
6.

(1) Subject to other provisions of this Act, the Director of
Geological Survey shall—
(a) undertake, develop and compile geo-scientific research
and related technological development;
(b) develop a comprehensive and integrated geo-scientific
database;
(c) promote the search for, and the exploitation of, minerals
in the Republic;
(d) advise the Minister on matters relating to geological
survey;
(e) study the —
(i) distribution and nature of mineral resources;
(ii) geo-environmental aspects of past, current and
future mineral exploitation; and
(iii) use of the surface and the subsurface of land
and the seabed, and advise a State institution
and the public on the judicious and safe use of
the surface and the subsurface of land and the
seabed for purposes of facilitating sustainable
development;
(f) review and evaluate geotechnical engineering reports in
respect of geo-hazards that may affect infrastructure and
development;
(g) conduct geological investigations;
(h) provide specialised geological services to public and
private institutions;
(i) promote mineral beneficiation and value addition;
(j) establish and maintain an accredited mineral laboratory
for analysing mineral samples, rocks, mineral
concentrates, tailings or minerals; and
(k) provide data on the geology and mineral resources in the
Republic and information to the public on geological
matters.

, tailings or minerals; and
(k) provide data on the geology and mineral resources in the
Republic and information to the public on geological
matters.

(2) The department responsible for geological survey in the
ministry responsible for mines may provide consultancy and
geological services to the public in a prescribed manner and on
payment of a prescribed fee. Geological and Minerals Development [No. 2 of 2025 51
Functions of
Director of
G e o l o g i c a l
Survey

d manner and on
payment of a prescribed fee. Geological and Minerals Development [No. 2 of 2025 51
Functions of
Director of
G e o l o g i c a l
Survey

7. (1) The Director of Geological Survey or an authorised
officer may, for the purposes of carrying out geological survey,
mapping or exploration operations enter on land with persons that
the Director of Geological Survey or an authorised officer may
consider necessary and exercise the rights of a holder of an
exploration licence. (2) The Director of Geological Survey or an authorised officer
may, for the purposes of carrying out the geological survey, mapping
or exploration—
(a) enter, at a reasonable time, on land with persons, animals,
vehicles, appliances, instruments and materials that are
necessary for the survey;
(b) break up the surface of a part of land for the purposes of
ascertaining the rocks or minerals within or under the
land;
(c) take samples and specimens of the soil, rocks or minerals
found on the land;
(d) fix a post, stone, mark or object to be used in the survey
of the land;
(e) dig up the ground for the purposes of fixing a post, stone,
mark or object; and
(f) enter into, or on, land through which it may be necessary
to pass for the purposes of the survey.

ses of fixing a post, stone,
mark or object; and
(f) enter into, or on, land through which it may be necessary
to pass for the purposes of the survey.

(3) The Director of Geological Survey or an authorised officer
shall not, in exercising a power conferred under this section fix
an object, post, stone or mark on land without the consent of the
owner or occupier of the land, which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld. (4) The owner or occupier of the land referred to in subsection
(3) shall, within thirty days of the request for consent, grant the
consent. (5) Where the owner or occupier of the land to which access is
requested under subsection (3) delays or unreasonably withholds
to grant consent, the Director of Geological Survey or an authorised
officer shall refer the matter to the Minister. 52 No. 2 of 2025] Geological and Minerals Development
Geological
survey,
mapping
and
exploration

rised
officer shall refer the matter to the Minister. 52 No. 2 of 2025] Geological and Minerals Development
Geological
survey,
mapping
and
exploration

(6) A notice of the intention to exercise a power conferred
under this section shall be published in the Gazette and in a daily
newspaper of general circulation in the area where the land is
situated, at least fourteen days before the exercise of the power,
unless the land is State land alienated by the President in accordance
with the Lands Act. (7) The Director of Geological Survey shall ensure that —
(a) as minimal damage and inconvenience as possible is
caused by the exercise of a power conferred under this
section; and
(b) an excavation opened is backfilled before abandoning
land. (8) An owner or occupier of land may, where substantial
damage is caused by the exercise of power conferred under this
section, claim compensation as prescribed. (9) A determination of the compensation claimed under
subsection (8) shall be prescribed. (10) Nothing in this section authorises a person to enter on land
referred to under subsection (1) without obtaining the relevant
consent required from an appropriate authority. PART IV
ARTISANAL AND SMALL-SCALE MINING
8.

red to under subsection (1) without obtaining the relevant
consent required from an appropriate authority. PART IV
ARTISANAL AND SMALL-SCALE MINING
8.

(1) The Director of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining shall
promote the sustainable development of the artisanal and small-
scale mining sector. (2) Despite subsection (1), the Director of Artisanal and Small-
Scale Mining shall—
(a) collaborate with the Minerals Regulation Commission
on aspects of mapping the artisanal and small-scale
mining subsector;
(b) collaborate with the ministries responsible for finance,
environment, small and medium enterprise, commerce
and other ministries and cooperating partners on matters
supporting the growth of the artisanal and small-scale
mining subsector;
Geological and Minerals Development [No. 2 of 2025 53
Functions of
Director of
Artisanal
and Small-
Scale
Mining
Cap.184

small-scale
mining subsector;
Geological and Minerals Development [No. 2 of 2025 53
Functions of
Director of
Artisanal
and Small-
Scale
Mining
Cap.184

(c) promote the conservation of mineral resources of the
Republic through appropriate mining methods and
mineral processing technology in order to prevent
wasteful mining;
(d) provide technical extension services to artisanal and small-
scale mining to build capacity;
(e) promote formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining
to ensure participation of the citizens in artisanal and
small-scale mining;
(f) advise the Minister on the formulation of policy relating
to artisanal and small-scale mining; and
(g) promote value addition to optimise mineral exploitation. 9.

inister on the formulation of policy relating
to artisanal and small-scale mining; and
(g) promote value addition to optimise mineral exploitation. 9.

The Director of Large-Scale Mining and Mineral Investment
Promotion shall, in collaboration with the ministry responsible for
finance and the Zambia Development Agency—
(a) develop policies that seek to identify and attract potential
investors to the mining industry;
(b) develop and execute investment promotion awareness
programmes and strategies in the mining sector with
the aim of enabling the sector to become investment
promotion conscious and utilise investment promotion
as a tool for innovation and creativity;
(c) develop and implement policies and programs that promote
local content in the mining industry;
(d) promote international or regional cooperation agreements
that would contribute to improving the investment
promotion regime;
(e) conduct investment promotion by showcasing the mineral
wealth at local investment forum and international
investment forum to attract investment in the mining
sector;
54 No. 2 of 2025] Geological and Minerals Development
Functions of
Director of
Large-Scale
Mining and
Mineral
Invetment
Promotion

n the mining
sector;
54 No. 2 of 2025] Geological and Minerals Development
Functions of
Director of
Large-Scale
Mining and
Mineral
Invetment
Promotion

(f) consult with relevant stakeholders in the development of
incentives targeted at attracting investors in the mining
sector and make appropriate recommendations to the
Zambia Development Agency ; and
(g) promote value addition and reinvestment by existing
investors to increase investment. 10. (1) Subject to the Minerals Regulations Commission Act,
2024, a holder of a mining right or a mineral processing licence
shall, in the conduct of mining operations or mineral processing
operations and in the sales purchase, construction, installation and
decommissioning of facilities, give preference to the—
(a) materials and products made in the Republic; and
(b) contractors, suppliers and service agencies located in the
Republic which are citizen empowered, or citizen
owned companies. (2) A holder of a mining right or mineral processing licence
shall, in the course of operations—
(a) subject to the Employment Code Act, 2019 give
preference in employment to citizens with relevant
qualifications or skills; and
(b) conduct training programmes for the transfer of technical
and managerial skills to citizens.

citizens with relevant
qualifications or skills; and
(b) conduct training programmes for the transfer of technical
and managerial skills to citizens.

(3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) and (2) commits
an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine of not less than
one million penalty units and to a further penalty of one hundred
and fifty thousand penalty units for each day that the offence
continues. (4) The Minister may, by statutory instrument determine the
threshold of local content eligible for preference under this Act. 11. (1) Except for the purpose of analysing a mineral or
conducting tests on the mineral, a holder of an exploration licence
shall not remove any mineral from the exploration area without
the written consent of the Director of Geological Survey and shall,
when removing any mineral, comply with the conditions as the
Geological and Minerals Development [No. 2 of 2025 55
Restrictions
on removal
of minerals
Act No. 3 of
2019
Preference
for Zambian
products,
contractors
and
employment
of citizens
Act No. 14
of 2024

25 55
Restrictions
on removal
of minerals
Act No. 3 of
2019
Preference
for Zambian
products,
contractors
and
employment
of citizens
Act No. 14
of 2024

Director of Geological Survey may in consultation with the
Commission specify in writing. (2) The Minister may, by statutory instrument, determine the
quantities of mineral samples to be removed from an exploration
area for the purposes of mineral analysis or conducting tests on
the mineral. PART V
ARTISANAL AND SMALL-SCALE MINING FUND
12. (1) There is established the Artisanal and Small-Scale
Mining Fund for purposes of promoting the development of the
artisanal and small-scale subsector. (2) Despite the generality of subsection (1), the Fund may be
applied for purposes of —
(a) capacity development of artisanal and small-scale miners;
(b) providing grants, loans to artisanal and small-scale miners;
(c) paying administrative and management expenses not
exceeding five percent of the Fund; and
(d) any other matter relating to promoting the development
of the artisanal and small-scale subsector.

ses not
exceeding five percent of the Fund; and
(d) any other matter relating to promoting the development
of the artisanal and small-scale subsector.

(3) The Fund consists of monies that may—
(a) be appropriated by Parliament for purposes of the Fund;
(b) subject to the Public Finance Management Act, 2018, be
received by way of grants and donations from any
source, with the approval of the Minister;
(d) vest in, or accrue to, the Fund; and
(e) be payable to the Fund by or under any other written law. (4) The ministry responsible for mines may, subject to the
Public Finance Management Act, 2018 charge and collect fees for
services provided by the ministry responsible for mines. (5) Subject to the Public Finance Management Act, 2018, the
ministry responsible for mines may invest any monies of the Fund
that are not immediately required for the purpose of the Fund, in a
manner authorised by the ministry. 56 No. 2 of 2025] Geological and Minerals Development
Act No. 1 of
2018
Act No. 1 of
2018
Act No. 1 of
2018
Establishment
of Artisanal
and Small-
Scale
Mining Fund

025] Geological and Minerals Development
Act No. 1 of
2018
Act No. 1 of
2018
Act No. 1 of
2018
Establishment
of Artisanal
and Small-
Scale
Mining Fund

13. (1) Subject to the Public Finance Management Act, 2018,
the Fund shall be managed and administered by the ministry
responsible for mines. (2) The ministry responsible for mines shall ensure that
prudent controls are established for the Fund relating to—
(a) fiscal controls and accounting procedures governing the
Fund;
(b) reporting procedures for matters relating to the Fund; and
(c) investment of the monies of the Fund. 14. (1) The ministry responsible for mines shall cause to be
kept proper books of accounts and other records relating to the
Fund. (2) The Fund shall be audited annually by the Auditor-General
or an auditor appointed by the Auditor-General. (3) The fees for the audit of the Fund shall be paid from the
Fund. 15. (1) The ministry responsible for mines shall, as soon as
practicable, but not later than ninety days after the end of the
financial year, submit to the minister responsible for finance a
report concerning the ministry’s activities relating to the Fund
during the financial year.

ial year, submit to the minister responsible for finance a
report concerning the ministry’s activities relating to the Fund
during the financial year.

(2) The report under subsection (1), shall include information
on the financial affairs of the ministry relating to the Fund and
there shall be appended to the report—
(a) an audited statement of financial position;
(b) an audited statement of comprehensive income and
expenditure; and
(c) other information that the Minister responsible for finance
may require. (3) The Minister responsible for finance shall, not later than
seven days after the first sitting of the National Assembly next
after receipt of the report under subsection (1), lay the report before
the National Assembly. Geological and Minerals Development [No. 2 of 2025 57
Annual
report
Act No. 1 of
2018
Management
of Fund
Accounts
and audit

ore
the National Assembly. Geological and Minerals Development [No. 2 of 2025 57
Annual
report
Act No. 1 of
2018
Management
of Fund
Accounts
and audit

PART VI
GENERAL PROVISIONS
16. (1) The ministry responsible for mines may in the exercise
of its functions under this Act, issue guidelines as are necessary
for the better carrying out of the provisions of this Act. (2) The ministry responsible for mines shall cause to be
published the guidelines issued under this Act in the Gazette and
in a daily newspaper of general circulation in the Republic or on
the website for the ministry responsible for mines and the guidelines
shall take effect on the date of publication. (3) The guidelines published under subsection (2) shall bind
the persons regulated under this Act. 17. (1) A person shall not, without the consent in writing, given
by or on behalf of the Minister, otherwise than in the course of
duties of that person, publish or disclose to an unauthorised person,
the contents of any document, communication or information,
which relates to or which has come to the knowledge of that person
in the course of that person’s duties under this Act.

communication or information,
which relates to or which has come to the knowledge of that person
in the course of that person’s duties under this Act.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an
offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding two
hundred thousand penalty units or to imprisonment for a period
not exceeding two years, or to both. (3) A person who, having information which to the knowledge
of that person has been published or disclosed in contravention of
subsection (1), unlawfully publishes or communicates the
information to any other person, commits an offence and is liable,
on conviction, to a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand penalty
units or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding two years, or
to both. 18. The Director or an authorised officer shall not be liable
for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith in the exercise
or performance, of purported exercise or performance, of any,
power or function conferred or imposed on the Directors or
authorised officers by or under this Act. 19. The Minister may, by statutory instrument, make
Regulations for the better carrying out of the provisions of this
Act. 58 No. 2 of 2025] Geological and Minerals Development
Immunity
Prohibition
of
publication
or disclosure
of
information
to
unauthorised
persons
Regulations
Guidelines

5] Geological and Minerals Development
Immunity
Prohibition
of
publication
or disclosure
of
information
to
unauthorised
persons
Regulations
Guidelines

5 9