Zambia has recently become a hotspot for gold exploration, drawing attention from local miners, foreign investors, and government regulators alike. As of 2025, several areas in Zambia which have gold are experiencing a modern-day gold rush, with more deposits being discovered and tapped into.
In this article, we’ll explore where is gold mostly found in Zambia:
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The top gold-rich regions in Zambia
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Gold deposits in Oromia (Ethiopia) and Karamoja (Uganda)
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And even answer how much gold is in gold leaf!
Which Areas in Zambia Have Gold?
The top areas in Zambia which have gold include:
✅ Kasenseli (Mwinilunga District)
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Perhaps the most famous gold discovery in Zambia.
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Located in North-Western Province.
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Home to the Kasenseli Gold Mine, which has been regulated by ZCCM-IH.
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Government-owned and monitored to avoid illegal mining.
✅ Mufumbwe District
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Experiencing an ongoing gold rush in 2025.
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Locals and small-scale miners have flocked to new gold sites.
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Surrounding areas like Kambilombilo and Kalengwa are suspected to sit on mineral-rich ground.
✅ Solwezi
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Also in the North-Western Province.
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Known for copper, but gold has been found as a by-product in some mining operations.
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Growing interest from both artisanal and industrial miners.
✅ Petauke and Vubwi (Eastern Province)
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Long known for artisanal gold mining.
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Local miners use traditional panning methods.
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Government is encouraging formalization of operations.
✅ Lufwanyama and Mpongwe (Copperbelt Province)
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New reports indicate trace and commercial gold deposits.
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Farmlands like Nitumezi Farms in areas like Masaiti and Kambilombilo might also sit on unexplored gold seams.
✅ Central Province – Serenje and Mkushi
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Some gold exploration licenses have been granted here.
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Companies are surveying and testing soil for potential mining.
Is Gold Found in Oromia Region (Ethiopia)?
Yes. The Oromia region of Ethiopia, especially areas like Lega Dembi, Shakiso, and Adola, has significant gold reserves. Ethiopia’s largest gold mine, Lega Dembi, is located in Oromia.
Artisanal miners also work in the region, though there have been concerns about environmental damage and land disputes.
Is There Gold in Karamoja (Uganda)?
Yes. Karamoja, in northeastern Uganda, has growing reports of gold mining in Moroto, Nakapiripirit, and Kaabong districts. Though still underdeveloped, Karamoja has gold, marble, and limestone, attracting small-scale miners and interest from foreign companies.
✨ How Much Gold Is in Gold Leaf?
Gold leaf is extremely thin — just 0.1 microns thick. A standard 8×8 cm gold leaf sheet contains only 0.1 to 0.2 milligrams of gold. That means you’d need over 5,000 sheets to make a single gram of gold!
Gold leaf is 22K–24K in purity but is used more for decorative and symbolic purposes than for value.
Conclusion: Areas in Zambia Which Have Gold
The major areas in Zambia which have gold as of 2025 are:
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Kasenseli (Mwinilunga)
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Mufumbwe
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Solwezi
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Petauke and Vubwi
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Lufwanyama and Masaiti
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Serenje and Mkushi
As gold exploration continues, more rural and farm areas like Kambilombilo may soon emerge as the next major mining zones. If you’re a Zambian farmer, investor, or policy maker, now is the time to pay attention to what lies beneath!
✅ How to Acquire Gold Legally in Zambia
If you’re interested in participating in the gold rush or investing in Zambia’s gold sector, here are the legal steps to follow:
1. Apply for a Mining License (if you want to mine gold)
Types of Licenses:
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Artisanal Mining License (AML) – for small-scale local miners
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Small-Scale Mining License (SSML) – for more organized operations
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Large-Scale Mining License (LSML) – for major investors and companies
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Gold Trading License – if you want to buy and sell gold
Where to Apply:
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Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development (MMMD)
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You can also apply online via the Cadastre Portal: https://portal.mines.gov.zm
Requirements:
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Proof of Zambian citizenship (for artisanal/small-scale licenses)
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Business registration certificate (for companies)
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A certified map or coordinates of the area you intend to mine
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Environmental Project Brief (EPB) for small-scale and artisanal mining
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Proof of financial and technical capacity (especially for large-scale)
2. Buy Gold Legally from Licensed Sellers or ZCCM-IH
If you don’t want to mine but want to invest or resell:
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Only buy gold from licensed dealers or ZCCM-IH, which is a government-backed company in charge of some gold sales.
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Request a receipt, assay certificate, and license number from the seller.
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Avoid street vendors or unregistered miners — it’s illegal and risky.
⚖️ 3. Comply With the Precious Metals Act and FIC Laws
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Gold is classified as a precious metal and is regulated under Zambian mining and anti-money laundering laws.
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If you’re dealing in large quantities or exporting, you must:
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Declare the source
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Obtain an export permit
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Declare your gold at the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)
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Report transactions to the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) if required
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4. Register With the Bank of Zambia (If You’re Trading or Exporting Gold)
The Bank of Zambia (BoZ) requires entities involved in gold trade to register and declare any foreign exchange transactions related to exports.
⚠️ 5. Avoid Illegal Pitfalls
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Don’t buy gold without documentation
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Don’t mine on someone’s land without permission and a license
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Don’t export gold without proper documentation
Illegal possession or export of gold in Zambia can result in confiscation, fines, or imprisonment.
BONUS TIP: Join a Cooperative
If you are a small-scale miner or farmer:
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You can join a registered mining cooperative and operate under its license.
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This gives you access to shared equipment, government support, and training.
Summary
To legally acquire gold in Zambia, you must:
| Action | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Mine gold | Get a valid license from the Ministry of Mines |
| Buy gold | Purchase only from licensed sellers (ask for license + receipt) |
| Export or trade gold | Register with BoZ + get export permits + follow FIC rules |
| Start small | Join a cooperative or apply for an artisanal license |
Why Gold Discoveries Can Be a Threat to Agriculture and Land
While gold discoveries bring hope for wealth and development, they can also create serious risks for agriculture, land rights, and the environment — especially in rural communities where land is a lifeline.
⚠️ 1. Loss of Agricultural Land
When gold is discovered, farmland is often converted into mining sites, either through legal acquisition or illegal encroachment. This leads to:
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Displacement of farmers
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Reduction in food production
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Loss of livelihoods for entire communities
In places like Kambilombilo, Mufumbwe, and Solwezi, some farms suspected of sitting on gold are at risk of being sold off, abandoned, or fought over.
2. Soil Degradation and Pollution
Gold mining — especially artisanal and unregulated mining — often uses:
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Mercury and cyanide
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Open-pit excavation
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Uncontrolled water use
These practices degrade the soil, pollute rivers, and destroy vegetation, making the land unfit for future farming.
3. Conflict Over Land Ownership
When gold is found:
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Traditional landowners may lose control
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Chiefs, investors, and politicians may clash over ownership
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Farmers without title deeds may be forced off their land
This causes social tension, displacement, and in some cases, violent land disputes.
4. Food Insecurity and Dependency
If gold becomes the main economic activity:
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Farming declines
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Communities rely on buying food instead of growing it
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Prices of land and food rise
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Local food systems weaken
In the long run, this makes communities more vulnerable to hunger and inflation.
♂️ 5. Labor Shift From Farming to Mining
Gold rushes pull young people away from agriculture. Everyone wants to “strike it rich,” so:
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Farms are abandoned
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Rural food supply declines
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Communities lose farming skills
This undermines Zambia’s long-term food security and rural development goals.
️ 6. Weak Land Regulation
Many rural farmers in Zambia:
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Don’t have title deeds
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Use customary land passed down by family
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Have little protection when investors arrive
Without clear documentation, land can be grabbed or bought off cheaply, often without fair compensation.
✅ What Can Be Done?
To protect agriculture in gold-rich areas:
| Strategy | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Secure land tenure | Give farmers title deeds or formal land recognition |
| Regulate mining | Enforce environmental laws and mining licenses |
| Zoning | Separate mining zones from farming zones |
| Community sensitization | Educate locals about the risks and rights |
| Sustainable mining | Promote eco-friendly gold mining with minimal land damage |
Final Thought
Gold can bring prosperity, but if not managed carefully, it can destroy the very land that feeds us. Zambia must strike a balance between mining and farming to ensure long-term development, food security, and land justice.