20 Years of Delay in Amending Mining Laws Exacerbates Conflict Challenges – Mudenda
The Speaker of the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Hon. Jacob Mudenda, has asserted that the two-decade delay in amending the Mines and Minerals Act has intensified the conflict challenges experienced by stakeholders in the industry.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Hon. Mudenda stated that the delay in updating mining laws has led to increased conflict, particularly where small-scale miners are not recognized despite their significant contribution to the country’s GDP.
“The 20 years of delay in reviewing the mining law has exacerbated the conflict challenges being experienced by the stakeholders in the mining sector, such as the non-recognition of small-scale miners as an integral part of the mining sector,” Hon. Mudenda said.
The Speaker of Parliament also highlighted that the prolonged delay has contributed to challenges related to disputes over boundaries, balancing rights between miners and other land users, and the inclusion of key stakeholders.
“Delays in resolving disputes over mine boundaries and ownership, balancing rights between miners and other land surface users such as farmers, environmentalists, and wildlife conservancies; inclusion of key stakeholders in the Mining Affairs Board, particularly those affected by mining operations such as coterminous communities; and sustainable environmental mining practices which should guarantee the safety and health of miners as well as the conservation of the environment,” Mudenda elaborated.
He further noted that the delay in amending the Mines and Minerals Act has hindered the implementation of the cadastre system.
“The non-use of a computerized cadastre system in the registration of mining titles, and curbing of illicit financial flows from the mining sector,” he added.
According to Hon. Mudenda, he hopes to ensure that the mining laws will be aligned with African and international standards on responsible mining.
“Consequently, it is my hope that the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill will be aligned to regional and international agreements such as the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework, the Africa Mining Vision, and the SADC Protocol on Mining. In the same vein, I urge the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to also assiduously finalize the long-overdue Minerals Development Policy which should underpin the architecture of future mining legislation,” he concluded.