The Semi-Precious Stones Mining Association of Zambia has urged the Gemstone mining firms in Zambia to hold mini auction sales for local buyers. This, according to the body president Victor Kalesha, will enable the local buyers to.
Kalesha said many local cutters have been established but were not able to compete on major auction sales because it was competitive and expensive for them. As such, he put forth a request to major emerald producing companies to seriously consider the local buyers by giving them an opportunity to buy what they can afford at their own mini auctions.
He further added that the quality of cutting and polishing being done by Zambians has improved tremendously but are starved of materials especially emeralds. According to Kalesha, a number of gemstone cutters across the country have been getting orders for cutting and polished emeralds but have nowhere to find them. He pointed out the need for prioritize value addition in order to create job opportunities for local people.
He further said a gemstone and lapidary training school has been training quality students who unfortunately have not been able to find jobs after training because there were no materials to cut. The association, he said, will engage the producing companies to see how best they can help local people as a way of promoting local value addition. He also urged the government to consider putting in place a conducive environment that will encourage local value addition to the country’s gemstones.
