Investigating the implications of the use of charcoal to process manganese on forest revenue collection : a case of Serenje district in Zambia.

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Date
2021
Authors
Kandulu, Mercy Mupeta
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The University of Zambia
Abstract
This study investigated the implications of using charcoal to process manganese on the amounts of forest revenue that the Forestry Department (FD) had collected from selling charcoal in Serenje District of Zambia from 2012 to 2017. Manganese processing plants commenced operations in the district in 2012 after they were issued with the Mineral Processing Licence by the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development (MMMD). Manganese processing operations demanded huge quantities of charcoal which the FD authorised by issuing production and conveyance licences to charcoal traders. Increased charcoal demand encouraged uncontrollable harvesting of trees which caused forest degradation, affected livelihoods and threatened the existence of some rivers in the district. Government and the traditional rulers raised concerns over the negative environmental impacts and a ban on the use of charcoal to process manganese was effect in 2017. Literature from research studies, annual reports from the FD and mineral production returns from the MMMD were reviewed in order to collect information and data on forest revenues and mineral production. Fifteen (15) questionnaires were distributed to eight institutions and twelve (12) Key Informants responded by providing information and data. Data was analysed using excel. Two (2) Focus Group Discussions were conducted in communities living close to the mineral processing plants in order to obtain the general perception of the people on the subject matter. Actors along the charcoal value chain were mapped and their roles specified. Results showed that annual average revenue collected from charcoal by the FD increased from K10,600.23 (2008-2011) before the mines were introduced to K54,375.88 (2012-2016) when the mineral processing companies were authorised to use charcoal in their operations. Despite manganese processing continuing, forest revenue from charcoal reduced from K56,578.50 recorded in 2016 to K16,713 after the ban was effected in 2017. Though the revenue reduced, production of charcoal continued thereby indicating a continuation of the illegal trade. The study concluded that the use of charcoal to process manganese has potential to increase forest revenue when user industries adhere to local rules and regulations. However, failure to enforce forest laws on industrial charcoal demand promotes the informal charcoal trade to elusive markets that evade payment of government fees and contribute to forest degradation. Key Words: Forest revenue, manganese, mineral processing, Serenje District
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Keywords
Charcoal blast furnace. , Coal and manganese processing. , Manganese processing--Charcoal use. , Manganese processing.
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