By CHATULA KANGALI –
THE Government will conduct a study to ascertain the presence of tourmaline and other semi-precious stones in Nakonde and Isoka districts of Muchinga Province.
Tourmaline is a gemstone which comes in a wide variety of colours ranging from yellow to blue.
Mines Permanent Secretary, Paul Chanda said in an interview that a team of geologists from his ministry was expected to conduct the study next month.
He said that tourmaline was reportedly being mined in Nakonde by unlicensed small-scale miners and that some traces of emerald were reported to have been discovered in Isoka District.
“There are some small-scale miners that have been reported to have been mining tourmaline in Nakonde in small quantities. Officers from Mines department will next month go to Nakonde to carry out a gemological study on the presence of the precious mineral in the area,” he said.
Mr Chanda said once the study is conducted and tourmaline is discovered in the area, Government would formalise  the mining of the gemstone in the area.
He said when mining activities in the area were formalised, miners would be encouraged to increase production.
He said miners would maintain their licensed mining areas for production.
Mr Chanda said that some traces of emerald which is mostly found in Lufwanyama on the Copperbelt Province have also been reported to have been discovered in Isoka District.
The prices of tourmaline on the international market range from $490 to $1,500 per carat.