OVER 40,000 individuals are living in shabby makeshift tents in Kanyelele, Muchinga Province, drawn by the irresistible urge to find gold and the desperate hope of striking it rich through illegal mining.
Their crowded existence in this small area is the lengths people will go for financial stability, often at the expense of their safety and well-being.
Driven by the promise of a better future, many have abandoned their homes and villages, converging on this bustling, yet unregulated, mining area.
The current chilly June nights offer little solace, with flimsy tents providing minimal protection against the harsh elements and biting winds that sweep through the area.
The overwhelming focus on gold extraction has led to a severe neglect of basic necessities and infrastructure.
Kanyelele lacks schools, healthcare facilities, and even proper housing, leaving its inhabitants exposed to the unforgiving environment and without essential services.
Residents falling ill face an arduous journey of over 300 kilometers to Mpika, the nearest town with medical facilities.
The human cost of this gold rush is deeply personal.
Kalemba spoke to residents who shared the heartbreaking reality of their children being denied a fundamental right to education due to the absence of schools.
These children are stripped of opportunities to learn, develop, and build a foundation for their future.
Furthermore, the environment bears the hazardous brunt of illegal gold mining.
Local dams are contaminated with mercury, a substance confirmed to be toxic yet useful in the community’s gold extraction, rendering these vital water sources unfit for consumption.
This pollution leaves residents with severely limited options for clean drinking water, exposing them to the risks of waterborne diseases and other severe health issues.
Despite the seemingly insurmountable challenges, the cold, the lack of infrastructure, health risks, and denied education, a persistent glimmer of hope sustains the Kanyelele community.
Each day, they meticulously work the dusty soil, panning, sifting, and digging for the elusive nuggets, not those at the Big Bite 4 joint, but those glittery and could transform their lives.
For these desperate thousands, the allure of gold represents more than just wealth; it is a perceived lifeline, a chance to escape the deep-seated poverty and hardship that has defined their existence for far too long.
Picture and story by Sharon Zulu
Kalemba June 8, 2025
