Zim begins mining cadastre system roll-out

GOVERNMENT has begun rolling out the mining cadastre system, which is expected to become fully operational in all provinces by the end of next month, Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura has said.

A cadastre system is a computer-based and up-to-date land information system containing a record of interests in land such as land owners’ rights, restrictions and responsibilities.

Prior to migrating to the cadastre system, which is more efficient in the administration of mining titles, the country was using a manual system.

There were, however, concerns over outdated ownership databases as well as widespread disputes over claim boundaries.

The manual system also created a window for corruption.

The cadastre system has already been rolled out in Manicaland.

“The mining cadastre system is work in progress and so far we have managed to implement it at the Manicaland provincial office, and we are working out to propagate it to other provinces,” said Deputy Minister Kambamura.

“The system is already operational in

Manicaland and we are looking forward to fully implementing it in the country by the end of September this year.

“In other provinces, we had started implementing it, but it’s not yet fully implemented, so it’s work in progress at other provincial offices.”

Mining title administration, he said, was key towards achieving a successful mining industry.

The sector presently accounts for 70 percent of Zimbabwe’s foreign currency earnings.

Government plans to achieve a US$12 billion mining sector by next year.

Last year, the value of the mining sector rose to US$5,3 billion, and is forecast to grow to US$8 billion this year.

Gold is expected to contribute US$4 billion, platinum US$3 billion, while chrome, iron, steel, diamond and coal will weigh in with US$1 billion each.

Lithium is expected to contribute US$500 million.

US$1,5 billion is expected from other minerals.

Zimbabwe Miners Federation chief executive officer Mr Wellington Takavarasha, whose organisation represents the interests of artisanal and small-scale miners, said:

“It is a welcome development that the Government is implementing the cadastre system. The system is bringing sanity in the mining sector in terms of addressing disputes.”

He said the previous administration of mining titles resulted in disputes related to claim ownership and cases of corruption.

“Previously, because of the manual system, disputes have erupted over mining titles because of double or multiple allocations, but with this modern technology, such issues of disputes as well as corruption will be addressed,” he said.

“For instance, with the cadastre system, there are no issues of double allocations or corruption to talk about anymore. When a prospective miner makes an online registration for mining title, the computer-based system automatically shows details of the land being applied for.

“If the claim being applied for has already had an owner, the system automatically rejects the application for the identified mining claim.”

Mr Takavarasha said addressing corruption issues also guarantees investors security of mining titles.