In a recent operation, the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) has successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle Lithium, a strategic mineral, through the Kazungula One Stop Border Post (OSBP).
This joint effort, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, is part of the ongoing campaign to combat illicit mineral exports.
The incident unfolded when ZRA officials, working hand in hand with personnel from the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, launched an inquiry into a group of exporters suspected of wrongly categorizing valuable mineral products for export.
Acting on a tip-off, they apprehended a truck that was on its way to export cargo labeled as Silica Sand but harbored suspicions of carrying Lithium Ore.
To ascertain the true nature of the cargo, a joint team of ZRA and Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development officers collected samples from the truck.
The exporters had inaccurately declared the shipment as 29 tonnes of Silica Sand, valued at K18,600. However, subsequent analysis revealed that the truck was transporting Lithium Ore with a value of K296,000, boasting a Lithium content of 1.71%.
In response to this deceptive act, the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development imposed a K90,000 penalty on the exporter for falsifying the declaration of the exported mineral.
This interception stands as a direct outcome of heightened vigilance in monitoring various mineral products leaving the country’s borders.
ZRA aims to convey a stern message to potential wrongdoers involved in such activities, emphasizing that robust measures are now in place to identify and prosecute offenders.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, ZRA has amplified its endeavors to verify the quality and valuation of minerals at border points.
This proactive measure addresses instances where mineral exporters have submitted false samples while applying for Mineral Export Permits.
Such actions lead to the issuance of permits for minerals with characteristics and values differing from those actually being exported.
To rectify this, samples are now collected at the point of export and rigorously tested at government and private laboratories to validate the accuracy of declarations made by mineral exporters.
This incident underscores the significance of the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development’s plan to establish a Minerals Regulator, aimed at bridging gaps in monitoring and enforcing the mineral value chain. This initiative seeks to protect the nation’s mining sector revenue from fraudulent practices.
Despite the evolving tactics of smugglers, ZRA remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcement and continues to collaborate with other government agencies, sharing vital information to apprehend wrongdoers.
The Zambia Revenue Authority reaffirms its unwavering dedication to combating all forms of smuggling and safeguarding the nation’s economy from those involved in illicit trade.
The public is strongly encouraged to report any suspicious trade practices to ZRA, fostering a level playing field for all legitimate traders.
It’s crucial to note that Lithium is among the minerals classified as Strategic Minerals by the Government of the Republic of Zambia.
