Consolidate Offices and charges for All Government Entities in Mining, Government told
The government has been urged to consolidate various entities dealing with mining-related matters and streamline the charges imposed by these institutions.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Speaking at a mining stakeholders meeting held in Kadoma on Thursday, Mr Munashe Dicha, General Manager of Mwami Resources, emphasized the need for a single consolidation of offices such as the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Rural District Council (RDC), Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), Environmental Management Agency (EMA), and others. This, he argued, would streamline processes in the mining sector, save miners time, and ensure they understand all requirements from a single source.
“First, there is a need for the consolidation of various government entities. Currently, dealing with mining-related matters requires interactions with multiple offices such as the RDC, the Ministry of Mines, ZINWA, and EMA. A single consolidated office for all proposals and concerns would streamline the process, save miners time, and ensure they understand all requirements from one source.
“Additionally, consolidating the charges from various institutions is crucial. When establishing a mining entity, costs from the Ministry, RDC, and quarterly charges from EMA are not coordinated, making them prohibitive. A comprehensive review of these costs is needed to fully understand their impact on miners,” Dicha said.
Dicha also highlighted the critical issue of power, essential for consistent production. He noted that a stable power supply or incentives for setting up power plants to mitigate production losses were necessary.
“We are pleased to note the attention to the issue of stable power, which is critical for consistent production and operational upgrades. In Karoi, we experience load shedding every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5 AM to 8 PM. This significantly hampers production. It is essential to stabilize our power supply or offer incentives for setting up power plants to mitigate these losses,” Dicha said.
Furthermore, Dicha pointed out the need for improved infrastructure, particularly roads, which are vital for mining operations. He urged the government, through the RDC, to enhance road conditions to ensure smooth operations.
“The state of road infrastructure affects our operations. Accessing various mines is challenging due to poor road conditions. Collaboration with local authorities to improve roads would benefit both miners and communities. If some of our rehabilitation costs could be offset against annual levies, it would be greatly appreciated,” he added.