Crack down on Non Compliance – gvt suspending Mining licenses

Jenfan Muswere

The government of Zimbabwe has taken the action to suspend mining licenses for Mining Operations who are not complying with mining laws.

The move comes as part of President Mnangagwa’s initiative, the Responsible Mining Audit which aims to promote responsible and compliant mining activities in the country.

The audit was implemented to ensure that all mining activities are carried out responsibly and in accordance with Zimbabwe’s legal framework.

During a recent Post Cabinet Press Briefing, Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, announced that the government had received and adopted a report on the “Responsible Mining Audit” as presented by the newly appointed Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon Zhemu Soda.

“Regarding Small Scale Mines, with a labour force of up to 200 employees, the audit established that most of them are not complying with the legal transportation and licensing issues.

“The nation is being informed that in all the identified transgressions, corrective action is being taken including the following:

  1. Imposition of fines,
  2. Confiscation of explosives,
  3. Suspensions from operating licences,
  4. Cautions with instructions to regularise within a stipulated time-frame.

The Responsible Mining Audit came up with a number of useful recommendations which Government is implementing and the Interministerial Committee should continue to develop other solutions,” said Dr Muswere.

Dr Muswere also highlighted the positive compliance of large-scale mines usually referred to as Primary Producers, with at least 1,000 employees.

These mines were found to be mostly complying with mining laws, environmental laws, regulations by Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Immigration, labor, and energy sectors. However, there were a few isolated cases where immigration laws were being violated.

“The nation is being informed that large scale mines, with at least 1 000 employees, are to a large extent, complying with mining laws, environmental laws, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, Immigration, labour and energy regulations. There are however isolated cases where immigration laws are being violated, said Dr Muswere.

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On the latter, some Chinese operations have flouted immigration laws.

Speaking earlier this year, Minister Soda said the report is well written and recommendations well spelt out as the Ministry of Mines had an opportunity to visit over 400 ASM-run mining sites to compile the report.

“On the 10th of May HE launched the responsible mining initiative. Following the launch the Ministry then conducted a responsible audit of our mines. About 422 sights were visited and a report has since been compiled and it will soon be tabled before the cabinet. It is that report which will inform the government on the next steps that need to be taken, to also give protection and assistance to the small-scale miners but our desire is whenever mining is taking place let’s put safety first,” Minister Soda said.

Objectives of the Responsible Mining Audit

The objective of the Initiative is to ensure that all mining operations are conducted in accordance with the country’s laws. The audit team will comprise members from the following Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Mines and Mining Development, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Local Government and Public Works, Energy and Power Development, Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Departments of Immigration and Labour, the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, the Environmental Management Agency, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police,” Mines and Mining Development Minister said in a statement.

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