Environmental Governance and Compliance in Zambia's Mining Sector Over Time

This study examines environmental governance and compliance practices in Zambia's mining sector over a decade. The research employs quantitative analysis of government records and semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders from both public and private sectors. Over the study period, there was a notable increase (p<0.05) in compliance rates for water pollution control measures, indicating improved environmental stewardship among mining companies. While overall compliance levels have risen, persistent challenges remain with air quality and biodiversity conservation. Strengthening enforcement mechanisms and enhancing stakeholder collaboration can further enhance environmental protection efforts. The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.