Farmers grabbing mining concessions in Mutasa
Miners in Mutasa are being stopped to mine by farmers on the disguise that there is no miner-farmer consent yet, however the famers will eventually start mining without any mining claim or permission from relevant authorities in the end leaving the land in complete distress, Mining Zimbabwe has learnt.
Rudairo Mapuranga
According to some concerned miners who spoke to Mining Zimbabwe, farmers specifically war veterans are abusing their position in the society by grabbing mining claims near their farms asserting that the mining operations are jeopardizing their farming activities.
These farmers are also alleged to be turning their farms into mines without seeking permission from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Developments.
“Farmers are turning their farms into mines without seeking permission from the Ministry of Mines and miners are being stopped by farmers contesting that mining operations are a hindrance to their farming practices”, said one miner.
Mining Zimbabwe has learnt from miners that it is becoming difficult for miners to get a letter of consent from farm owners since the farmers will be eyeing to take over the mining concession from the miner.
“It is very hard for miners to get a letter of consent from farm owners to be allowed to get a license on a farm of less than 100ha”, they said.
The miners are henceforth pleading to the relevant authorities to come on board and take control of the situation.
Miners are continuously contesting that unsafe mining methods that are being used by farmers thwart the gold production process, resultantly increasing the rate of gold leakages.
“We wonder were the gold task force, police, EMA, Ministry of Mines , and Mutasa rural district council are when there is a lot of gold leakages and land degradation going on”, they said.
The miners continued to say that even though they sought for justice on several occasions, their efforts have not been recognised since these farmers have not been prosecuted.
“Is our law there to protect certain individuals, these farmers are not being arrested yet misconducts are taking place in broad day light”, they said.