Issuance of new certificates to curtail mining disputes

GOVERNMENT has begun issuing new certificates to all Certified Registered Approved Prospectors (CRAP) in a move aimed at restoring sanity and curbing disputes in the mining sector.

Over the years, the country’s small-scale mining sector has been marred by disputes arising from improper mining demarcations. Such concerns have been blamed for disrupting effective mining production.

The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development said in a statement that those with old certificates would be re-issued new ones for free.

“The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is issuing new certificates to all CRAP. The new certificates will now have the national identity number for the holder, among other features. Those whose licences are due for renewal will pay for the new certificate,” it said.

In submitting the certificates for renewal, the holders are required to chronicle the jobs that they have done from January 2017 as this would assist the ministry in its continuous assessment of prospectus.

“All CRAP holders have until December 31, 2017 to renew their certificates.”

Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation (ZMF) spokesperson Mr Dosman Mangisi lauded the move by the Government saying this would go a long way in curtailing mining disputes, which had become a common feature in recent years. “ZMF is the country’s mother body of the small-scale mining industry.

“It’s a positive step the Government has taken in an effort to curb disputes in the mining industry.

“Many of the mining disputes were boundary related as a result of poor pegging or at times the beacons not being visibly clear resulting in mining claims’ boundary fights by the miners. As a result of the disputes, production has been affected,” said Mr Mangisi.

In some instances, the beacons were not visibly clear on the ground largely because the points were surveyed using conventional methods such as a theodolite or archaic methods involving tape and chains.

Mr Mangisi said the issuing of the new certificates to all CRAP was part of the implementation of the computerisation of the country’s register of mining rights and titles known as the cadastre system. In July, Government announced that it had started implementing the cadastre system to unlock value in the mining sector as well as curbing double allocation of mining claims.

It is believed that the cadastre system would avoid double allocation of mining claims by recording geographical locations, ownership and time validity of mining rights and show compliance with all the requirements. The mineral register would be the central database for storage of information on applications and licences.

In addition, it is envisaged that procedures would be streamlined and thus reducing processing time for issuance of mining title and other services in line with best practices across the globe.

The cadastre system also seeks to enforce the “Useit-or-lose it” policy, which seeks to promote mineral value.

The Government adopted the “Use-it-or-lose it” policy in the draft Mines and Mineral Act presently under consideration by Parliament. This year, the country targets to grow mineral value to $3 billion from $2 billion in 2016. — @okazunga