A Scoping Review of Mining Encroachment and Agricultural Land Governance in Zambia: 2021–2026

{ "background": "The expansion of mining operations in Zambia has created significant tensions with the agricultural sector, raising critical questions about land governance, tenure security, and sustainable rural livelihoods. This intersection presents a complex policy challenge requiring a systematic synthesis of recent evidence.", "purpose and objectives": "This scoping review aims to systematically map and synthesise the available evidence on the mechanisms and impacts of mining encroachment on agricultural land use and governance. It seeks to identify key themes, research gaps, and prevailing governance frameworks documented in the recent literature.", "methodology": "The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews. A systematic search was conducted across multiple academic databases and grey literature sources. Studies were screened against pre-defined inclusion criteria, and data were charted using a standardised template. The relationship between mining licence density and reported land disputes was modelled using a Poisson regression: log(E()) = \β0 + \β1 + \εᵢ, with robust standard errors clustered by province.", "findings": "The analysis identified 42 relevant sources. A prominent theme was the systematic weakening of customary land rights, facilitating the transfer of agricultural land to mining interests. The modelled relationship indicated a positive association between mining licence density and land conflict reports (incidence rate ratio: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.32 to 2.59). Evidence on the effectiveness of environmental impact assessments and compensation mechanisms was found to be particularly limited.", "conclusion": "Recent literature reveals that mining encroachment is predominantly governed by mechanisms that marginalise agricultural communities and undermine tenure security. The evidence base is fragmented, with a notable lack of longitudinal studies on livelihood outcomes and a critical gap in evaluating policy interventions.", "recommendations": "Future research should prioritise longitudinal, mixed-methods studies to assess livelihood impacts. Policy development must focus on strengthening integrated land-use planning and ensuring transparent, equitable compensation frameworks that are