Mining ZimbabweLatest Mining News, Policy and Industry Updates

It is important to shift the approach to drug use from a criminalized behaviour to a public health strategy to mitigate drug-related accidents in the mining sector, stated Wilson Box, Director of the Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network.

Speaking at a drug awareness workshop held at Cresta Jameson Hotel, Box emphasized the necessity of providing treatment options for drug users rather than resorting to criminalization.

He explained that decriminalization of drugs in the mining sector would ensure that drug users receive treatment instead of facing criminal prosecution, which often leads to issues such as bribery and the emergence of hardened criminals after imprisonment.

“Decriminalization involves transitioning drug use from a criminal offence to a public health approach, focusing on supporting individuals who use drugs rather than targeting those who sell or distribute them,” Box elaborated. “Currently, there are limited dedicated centres for treating drug users. With decriminalization, we envision the establishment of numerous treatment centres where individuals can seek assistance for drug use challenges.”

Box highlighted the potential benefits for artisanal miners, who frequently encounter drug-related accidents due to overdosing or impairment while working underground. “Through decriminalization, artisanal miners can access treatment services, reducing the prevalence of drug use and consequently decreasing the likelihood of accidents,” he emphasized.

By deploying qualified personnel to oversee treatment programs, decriminalization aims to address drug use as a health issue rather than a criminal offence, ultimately contributing to a safer working environment in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.

Unki Mines, the country’s third-largest platinum group metals (PGM) producer owned by Anglo American Platinum, experienced a 2 per cent increase in production during the quarter ended March 31, 2024, compared to the previous quarter ending December 31, 2023.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2023, Unki produced 61,800 ounces. This production figure, however, remained stable at 62,800 ounces during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same quarter in 2023.

Platinum production at Unki increased by approximately 1 per cent to 28,600 ounces in the first quarter of 2024, up from 28,400 ounces produced during the same quarter the previous year, showing a similar 1 per cent increase from the previous quarter ending December 31, 2023, with 28,300 ounces.

Palladium production at Unki Mine also saw a significant increase of approximately 4 per cent to 24,300 ounces during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter (Q4 2023) with 23,400 ounces, marking a 1 per cent increase compared with the same quarter of 2023, with 24,100 ounces.

Rhodium production at Unki increased by approximately 4 per cent to 2,800 ounces from both the previous quarter and the same quarter of 2023, where it stood at 2,700 ounces.

However, other PGM production at Unki experienced a decrease of approximately 3 per cent during the first quarter of 2024 to 7,100 ounces from 7,300 ounces produced during the same quarter the previous year. There was also a decrease of approximately 4 per cent compared to the previous quarter (Q4 2023), with 7,400 ounces.

Despite these fluctuations, Unki Mine continues to play a significant role in the country’s PGM production, with promising prospects for further growth and development in the sector.

The Johannesburg High Court on April 19 granted permission to appeal an earlier ruling denying class action certification for 140 000 women and children in Kabwe, Zambia, who allege they have suffered the effects of lead poisoning as a result of a mine formerly owned by Anglo American in the country.

In granting permission, Justice Leonie Wendell found that an appeal against her earlier judgment had “reasonable prospects of success on at least one ground of appeal” and that there were “compelling reasons to grant the appeal, as class action law is still being developed in South Africa”, and that “there are current matters of law of public importance which directly implicate constitutional rights”.

In a 126-page judgment delivered in late December 2023, Wendell ruled that a claim against Anglo American South Africa (AASA) over widespread lead poisoning across Kabwe, Zambia, could not proceed as a class action.

The class action was filed in South Africa as it would not have been possible for the claimants to obtain access to justice in Zambia, law firm Leigh Day, which is a consultant on the matter, says.

Following the permission to appeal the December decision, the Kabwe claimants will now take their case against AASA before the Supreme Court of Appeal of South Africa later this year.

Leigh Day describes this as a “major step forward” in the longstanding lead poisoning class action claim against AASA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of London-headquartered Anglo American.

“The December judgment effectively blocked access to justice for the people of Kabwe,” it avers.

Kabwe was owned and operated by Anglo American from 1925 to 1974.

Leigh Day emphasises that the evidence submitted to the court by the claimants in support of this claim is clear.

From the early 1970s, reports by the mine doctors showed that several children had died of lead poisoning from the mine, and a high proportion of children in the local communities were suffering from massive blood lead levels, the law firm states.

Experts for the claimants also contend that the stability of lead in the environment was well known by the 1960s and that the risk of lead poisoning to future generations should have been foreseen by Anglo American if the environment was not cleaned up, the firm adds.

The claimants allege that, on economic grounds, Anglo American failed to heed advice from international experts in 1970 that the topsoil should be replaced.

However, Anglo American argues that it adhered to standards that were acceptable in the 1970s, that the risks to future generations were not foreseeable and that the company is therefore not liable to current inhabitants of Kabwe.

Amnesty International and a number of United Nations (UN) agencies intervened at the certification hearing to argue that Anglo American’s opposition to the class action was contrary to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Anglo American’s own human rights policy and publicly stated human rights commitments.

The Kabwe claimants are represented by law firm Mbuyisa Moleele Attorneys with Leigh Day acting as consultants.

In a separate statement, Anglo-American says it has noted the decision.

“The High Court dismissed the certification application in December 2023 after almost a year of deliberation, clearly highlighting the claim’s multiple legal and factual flaws and deeming it not in the interest of justice for the class action to proceed,” the company states.

It adds that the grant of the right to appeal is simply a recognition by the High Court that an appeal to another Court is a viable option for the claimants to follow in the South African legal process.

Anglo-American posits that this does not undermine the High Court decision that dismissed the application in December 2023.

The company says it will oppose any appeal that may follow.

“As Anglo-American has stated throughout, it has every sympathy for the situation in Kabwe, but is not responsible for it. Anglo-American has stated from the outset that this claim is entirely misconceived,” the company posits.

Diamond production in Zimbabwe saw a notable increase of 4.99 per cent in 2023 compared to the previous year, according to statistics provided by ZIMSTAT.

In 2023, the country produced a total of 5,107,931 carats, marking a significant rise from the 4,865,011 carats produced in 2022. This upward trend reflects the ongoing growth and development within Zimbabwe’s diamond mining industry.

During the first quarter of 2023, the country witnessed a remarkable surge in diamond production, totalling 1,637,554 carats. This represented a substantial 54.8 per cent increase from the 1,057,710 carats produced during the same period in 2022. Similarly, the second quarter of 2023 saw a significant uptick in production, with 1,204,805 carats produced, marking a notable 26.8 per cent increase from the comparable quarter in 2022, which recorded 949,921 carats.

However, the third quarter of 2023 experienced a slight decline in production, with a decrease of 22 per cent to 1,035,905 carats compared to the same period in 2022, which saw 1,329,805 carats produced. Likewise, the fourth quarter of 2023 saw a decrease of 19 per cent, with production totalling 1,229,677 carats, down from 1,527,573 carats in the same quarter of 2022.

The history of diamond mining in Zimbabwe dates back to the late 19th century, with the discovery of significant diamond deposits in the country. Over the years, Zimbabwe has become renowned for its rich diamond resources, attracting investment and fostering growth in the sector. As Zimbabwe progresses towards its Vision 2030, which aims for sustainable economic development and prosperity, the diamond mining industry is poised to play a pivotal role. By leveraging its abundant diamond reserves and implementing strategic initiatives, Zimbabwe can further enhance its position as a key player in the global diamond market, contributing to the country’s vision of achieving socio-economic transformation and prosperity for its citizens.