The Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon Winston Chitando has warned small-scale and artisanal miners who are not in compliance with the dictates of the laws of Zimbabwe that they risk losing mining certificates and their concessions.
Rudairo Mapuranga
Addressing delegates at the official launch of a three-day Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) induction and stakeholder consultative workshop at the Zimbabwe Institute of Public Administration and Management (ZIPAM) in Darwendale on Wednesday, Mines and Mining Development Minister Chitando said the government will not renew licences for non-compliant miners who are not adhering to sustainable mining practices, marketing laws, tax regime and labour laws.
The Minister said that the government will deal with issues of environmental degradation happening in mining communities by making sure that before the commencement of any extraction of resources miners should have an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate.
He said that the government was not going to renew any mining certificate for miners with no EIA certificates. He also ensured the ASM sector that a special EIA certificate specifically for them has been designed.
“I’m sure we are all aware that once you get your mining certificate or concession, it is not yet the approval to commence mining. One has to submit the sight of works plan to the Ministry, one has to get an EIA certificate and there is an abridged version of the EIA certificate specifically for the ASM sector. Every miner must comply with responsible mining laws. The level of environmental degradation taking place in some areas is simply unacceptable. We will as the government before the renewal of any mining concession ensure that environmental laws are adhered to,” Chitando said.
Chitando also warned miners who are side marketing minerals through unofficial channels that they risk losing their mining concessions.
“Secondly, once mining takes place the product should be marketed through the correct channels, Fidelity in terms of Gold and all other minerals through MMCZ. Again the government is moving towards ensuring that before the mining concession is renewed there is a level of compliance,” Minister Chitando warned.
He also said that for the sector to be fully formalised, miners should adhere to the tax dictates of the country. He said before the renewal of a mining certificate, the government will ensure that a miner is tax compliant by requesting a tax clearance certificate.
“Thirdly, again before any mining concession is renewed the government is moving to ensure that every miner is tax compliant. Therefore a Zimra tax certificate will be required,” The Minister said.
The Mines and Mining Development Minister also reiterated that it is imperative for miners to adhere to the labour laws of the country or risk losing their mining concessions.
“The fourth but not least is compliance with labour laws, their provisions in terms of our NEC regulations in terms of the conditions which govern the welfare of employees which includes but not limited to salaries and safety equipment.
“Why am I saying this, it is important that the sector benefits the economy in a sustainable manner. The government recognises the importance of artisanal and small-scale mining,” Minister Chitando concluded.
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