By Ronny Mukontwa
Documents reveal that the government has approved large-scale mineral exploration inside the Mukungule Game Management Area (GMA), a protected wildlife corridor — despite repeated assurances from officials that mining cannot take place in environmentally sensitive zones.
Many residents first heard rumours of a mining company entering the GMA but dismissed them as gossip. That changed when documents surfaced showing that government agencies had quietly signed off on the project.
Questionable consent and limited community awareness
A consent letter, allegedly signed by the Mukungule Community Resource Board (CRB), claims the community approved Unicorn Resources Limited’s exploration licence. But this approval is now in dispute, with critics arguing that the process may violate Section 91(1) of the Environmental Management Act (2011), which guarantees public participation in environmental decision-making.
The letter—purportedly co-signed by CRB coordinator Elias Bwalya and Chairperson Leward Chilufya—states that the board unanimously allowed Unicorn to explore for lead, copper, quartz, emerald, iron ore, cobalt, silver, and gold under licence No. 31012-HQ-LEL.
“Having Perused through the Licence Copy Ministry of Mines, Pegging Certificate of Ministry of Mines, Chief Consent and Company PACRA documents which company availed during the Mukugule Joint CRB Meeting in the presence of all the board members. The Board (CRB) is satisfied to let the company proceed with exploration activities in the licence no 31012-HQLEL in Mukungule Chiefdom,” reads part of the letter
Yet, interviews with residents from Mukungule Market, Chobela – the place where the project is located, and Katibunga revealed that most had never heard of the project. Even WeForest Zambia, a conservation organisation operating in the area, said it was not informed.
A CRB member speaking anonymously alleged that the board approved the project after the chief instructed them to do so during a meeting on 24 January 2024. Efforts to get comment from Chief Mukungule were unsuccessful.
A handwritten “prospecting letter” dated 28 September 2023, however, shows the chief only authorised Unicorn to search for known minerals in the Chobela area—and required the company to report back if minerals were found.
Mukungule GMA borders the North Luangwa National Park and is home to elephants, zebras, hippos, and lions. As a wildlife corridor, it is jointly managed by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and the CRB.
Who owns Unicorn Resources?
The Patents and Company Registration Agency (PACRA) records show Unicorn Resources Limited is predominantly foreign-owned. Dubai-based Natraj General Trading FZE holds 75,000 shares—giving it effective control.
Indian nationals Sharad Goel and Nitin Kumar Yadav, together with Zambians Kalasa Chibwe and Sheban Mutesu, hold the remaining shares. Goel is listed as the only beneficial owner, underscoring the company’s concentrated ownership and strong foreign influence.
The company’s exploration licence allows for road clearing, drilling, and the establishment of exploration camps.
Environmental approval despite risks
An Environmental Project Brief (EPB) approved by the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) identifies risks such as deforestation, noise, pollution, and loss of wildlife habitats.
In a decision letter signed by acting Director General Karen Banda Etondo, ZEMA said the project was approved after considering submissions from affected parties and site inspections. The approval came “with conditions,” but those conditions appear inconsistent across government agencies.
Government contradictions and evasive responses
Unicorn Resources declined to explain how it obtained authorisation to operate in a GMA, with director Sharad Goel instead questioning the reporter’s sources.
At the Ministry of Mines, Permanent Secretary Dr. Hapenga Kabeta insisted that mining in ecologically sensitive areas is prohibited and rejected suggestions that government is prioritising mining over conservation.
“No, no, no! That’s why the licence for the mining project in the Lower Zambezi National Park was cancelled,” Kabeta said.
Wildlife authority warns of habitat destruction
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) admitted that the Unicorn project will fragment animal habitats, displace wildlife, and increase human–wildlife conflict.
DNPW Director Dominic Chiinda said the department approved the project only under strict conditions: limiting operations to handheld tools, banning waste disposal in the GMA, and requiring a Wildlife Police Officer to be stationed on-site at the company’s expense.
However, ZEMA’s approval letter contradicts DNPW’s conditions, allowing heavy machinery such as truck-mounted reverse circulation drills and diamond drilling rigs.
Growing Fears in Local Communities
The project has sparked anxiety among residents living inside the GMA.
“I have lived here for 15 years. What will happen when they discover minerals?” asked 49-year-old widow Judith Musonda, sitting outside her grass-thatched hut.
Others, like 30-year-old father of three Sylvester Tembo, worry about displacement and poor accountability within the CRB.
“We’ve heard stories of people waiting years for compensation, and even then, it’s not fair,” he said.
WeForest Zambia’s Mukungule project manager, Rachel Ndabala, warned that mining could heighten human–elephant conflict and disrupt migration corridors.
ZEMA has instructed Unicorn to avoid indiscriminate tree cutting, replant cleared areas, and protect water bodies from contamination — but residents doubt these safeguards will be enforced.
Ronny is a fellow under the Wildlife Crime Prevention (WCP) environmental fellowship for journalists.
The MakanDay Centre for Investigative Journalism, in partnership with WCP, supported the reporting of this story.
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