The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has broken the levy impasse between the Mzingwane Rural District Council (RDC) and Miners from the area.
Mzingwane Rural District Council had hiked levies to astronomical amounts of up to $US20 000.
The ZMF cited reduced production due to the Covid-19 pandemic and proposed the fee hike be reconsidered when the situation normalizes.
ZMF President Ms. Henrietta Rushwaya and her team proposed a reduction of the levies to 1. Small scale mining $250.00, 2. Medium scale-own milling $500.00, 3. Custom Milling $750.00 much to ululation of miners in attendance.
In a letter signed by ZMF CEO Mr. Wellington Takavarasha the organization said:-
Pursuant to the meeting held with the miners in Mzingwane District and The Council representatives today the 29th of March 2021, we are hereby kindly requesting that you revisit the fees on a downward trend.
The following are the proposals;
1. Small scale mining $250.00
2. Medium scale-own milling $500.00
3. Custom Milling $750.00
The basis of the request is due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has grossly affected the production by the small to medium scale mining sector. Please note that we promise to revert to the initially proposed fee structure in 2022 if the Covid-19 situation normalizes.
Once again, thank you very much for this well-organized and well-coordinated meeting. We propose that we hold such meetings as and when necessary.
Below is the initial fee hike by Mzingwane Rural District Council (RDC)
