The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development Mashonalandwest Provincial office lost a mining claim map for an area in Norton, an inside source revealed to Mining Zimbabwe.
The reasons behind the theft of the map is not known as yet but there is a growing belief that those who stole the map wanted to cover up a mining concession dispute raising fears of more trouble brewing from the affected area.
Mines officials are allegedly blaming miners and prospectors for the theft. Investigations by the police are however in progress and nothing has been recovered as yet.
Miners have been calling for the government to quickly introduce the mining cadastral system to reduce disputes and other such risks.
Minister Winston Chitando recently handed over brand new maps to all provinces replacing the mostly torn, unreadable tattered maps to the delight of the mining industry.
Mashonalandwest is arguably the richest province housing major miners like Zimplats, Cam and Motor, Elvington, Eldorado, Pickstone Peerless, Dalny Mine, Great Dyke Investments, Mhangura mine, Golden Valley, Venice Mine and many more.
This is a developing story.
More to follow…
