LocationsA story of compassion and innovation changed lives, as an innovator, introduces a diesel-powered stone crushing machine.
Stone Crusher Revolutionizes Labour for Women Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners in Livingstone
June 7, 2024
Artisanal Small-Scale Miners during the handover ceremony
Image captured by: Cecilia Mubambe/UNDP Zambia
In the heart of Livingstone, Zambia, a story of compassion and innovation changed lives. Victor Pikiti, an innovator, introduced a diesel-powered stone crushing machine, significantly improving the lives of women miners in Livingstone’s Ngwenya community.
The journey began when Mr Pikiti watched a documentary at the African, Caribbean, Pacific European Union Development Minerals Programme Forum that took place in Lusaka from the 15th to 17th April 2024 aimed at sharing knowledge and innovations in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector. The film depicted women in Ngwenya manually crushing stones to earn a living, a sight that deeply moved him. "The way the women were crushing stones touched me," Mr Pikiti recalls.
Motivated by a desire to help, Mr Pikiti envisioned a solution to alleviate the women's burden. The diesel-powered stone crusher to enhance the productivity and profitability of the women’s businesses. A women led mining cooperative received the crusher. UNDP through the Accelerator Lab programme provided further support with improving the operation, efficiency and safety of the machine and will continue to monitor its utilization during the period of deployment, with support from the UNDP Accelerator Lab in Zambia the machine became a reality. For the artisanal women miners of Ngwenya, this machine was more than equipment, it was a lifeline.
Installation of the machine
Image captured by: Cecilia Mubambe/UNDP Zambia
A miner Ms Carron Njovu noted, "The machine will help the cooperative increase productivity and deliver stones to clients in good time." The crusher is expected to reduce physical strain, increase productivity, and allow the women to earn more and spend less time on arduous labour.
Ms Njovu, who has been mining since 1989, reflected on the challenges of manual stone crushing, including health risks arising from constant dust inhalation and the inability to fulfill larger orders. The new machine marks a turning point, a reality in enhancing the quality and quantity of crushed stones, enabling the business to grow and meet market demands efficiently.
Mr Pikiti's invention not only alleviated physical hardship but also empowered the women, giving them more time and financial resources to invest in their families, pursue education, expand their business and explore entrepreneurial endeavours. The ripple effect of this innovation will be felt throughout the community, showcasing the power of thoughtful, compassionate engineering.
A key collaborator in this innovation is the UNDP Accelerator Lab, which has been instrumental in fostering an enabling environment for innovative solutions to complex development challenges. Over the past three years, the National Innovation Initiative has unearthed over 4,000 innovations. In March 2024, the UNDP, through the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme, partnered with the Accelerator Lab to engage Pikiti for the fabrication, supply, and installation of the stone crusher. Selected personnel from the Cooperative will be trained on its safe operation and basic maintenance.
Building on his success, Mr. Pikiti was shortlisted for the 2023 Experimentation Programme, supported by the University Innovation Pod (UniPod) located at the Copperbelt University. This programme was aimed to foster practical, hands-on experimentation to enhance beneficiary capabilities and strengthen outcomes of his innovations. Mr. Pikiti's participation in this programme marked a significant milestone in his journey, providing him with the resources and support needed to take his innovations to the next level.
UNDP Resident Representative James Wakiaga, represented by Programme Specialist for the Inclusive Growth Unit, Chali Chisala Selisho, announced plans for the establishment of the timbuktoo MineTech hub in Lusaka. This hub will provide innovators and entrepreneurs like Mr Pikiti, with space, tools and networks to develop solutions focused on mineral technology, sustainable mining, and value addition. This hub follows the establishment of a University Innovation Pod – the Mukuba Unipod, which was launched at Copperbelt University in February 2024.
Since 2016, the ACP-EU programme has supported the ASM sector through policy advice, technical assistance, and capacity building. As it transitions to Phase III on September 1, 2024, it aims to further enhance productivity, create jobs, increase income, and implement environmental and social safeguards in mining areas.