Outdated mining laws robbing communities’
THE continued utilisation of an outdated Mines and Minerals Act (MMA) is fuelling the systematic channelling of wealth into the hands of the elite and the dispossession of communities, the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (Zimcodd) has warned. The debt watchdog is therefore lobbying for the urgent review on the Mines and Minerals Bill which has been subject to contest. Zimbabwe is currently using the outdated Mines and Minerals Act (MMA) Chapter 21:05.
The Mines and Minerals Act was enacted in 1961 during the colonial administration, in pursuit of repressive objectives of a settler capitalist economy which perpetuated the repression of the black majority and repatriation of Zimbabwe’s natural resources with little benefit to local communities. In a report dated February 8, 2022, Zimcodd noted that the attainment of a US$12 billion mining vision remains a pipedream if bold steps are not taken to fast-track the Mines and Minerals Bill.
"In this regard the Mines and Minerals Act legitimated and set the stage for the systematic channelling of wealth into the hands of the elite and the dispossession of mining host communities. The Act was crafted in a manner that safeguards the interests of the ruling class and elite. Thus, it has many loopholes that enable powerful local elites and international corporations to manipulate weak natural resource governance mechanisms for their own benefit," Zimcodd said. According to the report, recent allegations of mine grab implicating Mines and Mining Development minister Winston Chitando is a reflection of abuse of power.
Chitando is accused of grabbing eight gold mining claims that belonged to Yakub Ibrahim Mohamed and re-issued them under a special grant to Golden Reef Mining (Pvt) where he is a director. Zimcodd noted that vested interests are projected in Chitando`s decision, as it is embedded with rent-seeking and economies of affection given his history with Yakub Ibrahim Mohamed who at one point engaged Chitando for a partnership before he was appointed Minister of Mines.
The debt watchdog further stated that the minister might claim ignorance of the matter but such practices have become a common feature in mine allocation within the ministry which has on several occasions culminated in double allocations and confusion among investors.
"Nevertheless, if the Mines Bill is adopted the confusion and double allocation is likely to be addressed since it is armed with provisions meant to promote transparency and accountability in the allocation of claims through the cadastre system."