The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is understood to be moving away from conducting ground verification surveys for mining claims through its own survey teams, in a proposed change that could give private mine surveyors a greater role in the process, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Mining Zimbabwe understands that the change is being communicated through an internal memorandum, although the document has not been made public.
Provincial Mining Directors (PMDs) are expected to meet peggers before the end of this week, with the meetings likely to provide further clarity on the proposed changes and how they will affect the verification and registration of mining claims.
The development could alter the way mining claim positions are checked on the ground, particularly in cases where boundary overlaps and competing claims require the physical location of mining rights to be established.
Under the anticipated arrangement, private mine surveyors registered under the Association of Mine Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ) are expected to play a greater role in ground verification, taking on work previously undertaken by Ministry survey teams. The precise procedures governing the proposed shift have not yet been established publicly.
The change comes as Zimbabwe continues to tighten requirements around the accuracy of mining claim coordinates. General Notice No. 1 of 2025 introduced measures aimed at strengthening the integrity of the mining cadastre, including requirements for survey-grade coordinates prepared by registered mine surveyors.
The potential shift raises questions about how verification findings will be submitted to the Ministry, what oversight will remain in place, and how disputes involving overlapping claims will be handled.
For mining claim holders, peggers and surveyors, the practical implications will depend on the scope of the new arrangements and the procedures adopted for implementing them.
The expected meetings between PMDs and peggers could provide further clarity on the proposed changes, including the respective responsibilities of those involved in pegging, surveying and registering mining claims.
