LUSAKA APRIL 29, (CISA) – Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC) has called on the country’s mining companies and those in the agricultural sector to exercise extra care in conserving environment.
“Recognising that mining contributes to job and wealth creation of the country, we, however, challenge the mining sector to begin to practice responsible mining that takes into account the needs of the environment,” the Bishops said in a communiqué issued at the end of a national environmental conference held in Lusaka this week.
The Bishops said that mining contributes to the country’s development and provides much-needed jobs.
They further noted large-scale agriculture “is still necessary for increased food production in the country.”
President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Cardinal Peter Turkson, was the principal guest speaker at the conference.
On April 25, Cardinal Turkson addressed the meeting and gave an overview of Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato sì.
Outlining key issues in the document, the Cardinal clarified that Pope Francis was not anti-business.
The national conference dubbed the “Laudato sì conference” was organised by the Zambia Episcopal Conference (ZEC), through its Department of Caritas Zambia.
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) co-hosted the national conference whose theme was, ‘Care for Our Common Home in the Context of Large Scale Investments – Mining and Agriculture.’ The meeting was held at Lusaka’s Government Complex from 25 to 26 April.
Zambia is one of the leading producers of copper and emeralds. The government has given incentives such as extended tax breaks to lure the multinationals into investing.
