ASM Cooperative Receives Made-in-Zambia Stone Crusher

To support value-addition and manufacturing in the sector, the Programme together with UNDP Zambia (Accelerator Lab), supported innovators in the ASM sector. 

The Programme provided a small grant to a small-scale enterprise that makes equipment for artisanal miners. The small business run by Victor Pikiti with his son in Kabwe, Zambia, was selected among a dozen entries. 

Initially started with manufacturing of agricultural equipment, Mr. Pikiti was inspired to produce equipment for small miners after he has seen the hardship and physical toil of women miners crushing stone. A stone crusher that was produced with this grant was donated to Chibelenga Manual Stone Crushers Cooperative, a women miners’ cooperative in Livingstone.  

The initiative helps support domestic production of equipment, while at the same time benefitting artisanal women miners, improving their productivity and incomes. Sustainable business models to promote manufacturing of such equipment in Zambia and its adoption to improve productivity and occupational health of women who previously only used manual tools will be further explored for scaled-up adoption.