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HomeThe MagazineGovt urged to speed up Mines Act amendment

Govt urged to speed up Mines Act amendment

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By Brenda Musemwa, ZiMining Reporter
THE government has been urged to speed up the amendment process of the antediluvian 1964 Mines and Minerals Act should in order to make equal opportunities for artisanal and small scale miners in the Zimbabwean mining sector to boost our economy. Farai Maguwu, human rights defender and founding Director of the Research and Development which carries out extensive research and documentation on human rights abuses and illicit trade in diamonds in Zimbabwe said that mining corruption must not be tolerated.
He said the fact that the country should add value to the minerals than to just to export them.”We need a mining charter that spells our aspiration and vision as a nation. “This must be a product of consultation. They must not lock themselves in but rather go out and talk to their people, engage Chamber of Mines, Rural District Councils, researchers amongst others butit seems as our government loves foreigners more than citizens,” Maguwu said.The articulate Human Rights defender claimed that there was not even 1% effort by the government to ensure transpiracy in the diamond, lithium, black granite and chrome sectors.”Zimbabwe has no plan with its diamonds. They send bloated delegations to the meetings where they attend the opening and closing ceremonies only,” he said. Maguwu said that other countries attract best investors and Zimbabwe prefers criminals which have no proven history in diamond mining. “Our marketing is designed to conceal corrupt deals; hence our diamonds are grossly undervalued to enrich a few individuals.”There was politicisation, securitisation and militarisation of Marangediamonds which were meant to drive away the media, civil society and bsociety at large from monitoring,” said. Maguwu said it was high time government decriminilises artisanal mining. “Government has not formalized artisanal mining and yet large scale miners have all vanished.”Gold sector has great potential however 2/3 of our gold is smuggled.”To deal with corruption of such magnitudes we need to have a strong political will.”ZACC is conspicuous by its silence. The problem is that we do not get support from the executive.”There should be separation of powers and responsibilities, we do have capacity but not utilised,” he said.

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