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Women, youths and Warvets awarded Mashava reservations

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Women, youths and Warvets awarded Mashava reservations

The Cabinet of Zimbabwe has approved a proposal through which part of the Mashava Reservations held by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development will be allocated to eleven syndicates three of them being solely for the youths, women and war veterans.

Rudairo Mapuranga

On Tuesday, the Minister of Information Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said the government is determined to extend the participation of communities in the mining sector. She said the Syndicates will supply chrome ores to Zimbabwe Zhongxin Smelting Company (ZZSC) in Mashava with a capacity to generate nearly US$88 million and create 200 jobs.

“Cabinet approved a proposal through which part of the Mashava Reservations held by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development will be allocated to eleven syndicates. These syndicates will be from each of the eight administrative districts of Masvingo Province with three other syndicates being solely for youth, war veterans and women to supply chrome ores to Zimbabwe Zhongxin Smelting Company (ZZSC). The company is a new ferrochrome smelting project based in Mashava, Masvingo Province with the capacity to generate about US$88 million and create 200 jobs locally,” Hon Mutsvangwa said.

She also said that as part of broadening community participation, the Cabinet was requested by traditional leaders to acquire mining titles in reserved areas.

“Following the boom in the mining sector, Government has seen it fit to broaden the participation of communities in the sector. To that end, Cabinet wishes to advise the nation that it granted the request by the following traditional leaders to acquire mining titles in reserved areas for the benefit of their communities: Tefra Mining Syndicate (Chief Marange), Goromonzi Mining Trust (Three Chiefs Rusike, Chinamora, Chikwaka), Chinamhora Mining Syndicate (Chief Chinamhora), Chiwara Mining Syndicate (Chief Chiwara), Bere SP Mining Syndicate (Chief Bere); and Budiriro Mining Syndicate (Chief Chiweshe). Cabinet further granted the request by War Veterans for mining titles,” Mutsvangwa said.

AI, Graduates inclusion highlighted ZINIRE AGM

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AI, Graduates inclusion highlighted ZINIRE AGM

Embracing artificial intelligence (AI) and allowing graduates and students space to express themselves in the Rock Engineering field were key takeaways at the just-ended Zimbabwe National Institute of Rock Engineering (ZINIRE) Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Symposium held in Bulawayo last week.

Rudairo Mapuranga

AI and big data have been widely used in computer science and data science, but they are still in their infancy in rock engineering.

There is no complete set of theories and systems that combine the theoretical problems of rock engineering with machine learning. AI methods have successfully been used to solve various problems in the rock mechanics field and they performed better than the traditional empirical, mathematical or statistical methods. However, their practical applicability is still an issue of concern as many of the existing AI models require some level of expertise before they can be used because they are not in the form of tractable mathematical equations. Thus some advanced AI methods are still yet to be explored.

Speaking at the AGM at Holiday Inn Hotel in Bulawayo ZINIRE Vice President Omberai Mandingaisa said it was of importance for the Rock Engineering sector to start absorbing graduates into the rock engineering field to allow the proliferation of AI.

“On artificial intelligence, we need to start absorbing graduates into the rock engineering field. We need to give those youngsters space. It is something which can be done from a mining industry perspective. I have run a couple of projects with students, it has been amazing, rock engineering and AI can be great if we allow students to be innovative.

Patrick Mushangwe who attended the event asked Mandingaisa about the fear of people and engineers losing due to the introduction of AI because it might eventually take over the industry.

Mandingaisa said, “AI will not take over rock engineering model calibrations, it will be useful complimentary in data collection and decision making in the mining field.”

“AI will always follow the human mind and the human mind keep evolving, AI will only evolve as the human mind does and brings in more computational power to the process. What will change are the current roles that we have currently for example the job of an engineering geologist is fast being replaced by geotechnical engineers,” Mandingaisa said.

It was also suggested that ZINIRE needs to partner with the Zimbabwe School of Mines to create AI products that suit the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining industry.

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe on the sidelines of the event ZINIRE President Renius Tirivabaya said the institute was not going to be ignorant of changes happening in the industry through technology therefore it was going to work with institutions of higher learning and service providers to embrace AI.

“We can’t also be ignorant of the changes that are happening in terms of technology. We will talk about AI, machine learning and other things. The best strategy is to develop skills in these areas which we should do by trying to influence the curriculum at our local institutions such that they incorporate such training in terms of data analytics, AI, machine learning all those things. We also need to partner with our suppliers of technology to be able to develop appropriate technology for the sector that incorporate these principles such that they help us to win our wall against fall of ground incidents,” he said.

PRECIOUS STONES TRADE ACT of Zimbabwe

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PRECIOUS STONES TRADE ACT of Zimbabwe

CHAPTER 21:06 PRECIOUS STONES TRADE ACT

Acts 8/1978, 1/1982, 22/2001 (s. 4), 10/2007.

In this Act:

– “Deal” in relation to precious stones means to buy, sell, barter, pledge, exchange, give or receive, or offer or expose for sale, barter, pledge, or exchange, or engage in any other transaction whatsoever.
– “Holder of a mining location” refers to the person in whose name the mining location is registered. In the case of a deceased person, a company in liquidation, or any person under a legal disability, it means the executor, administrator, liquidator, trustee, tutor, curator, or other person who has the administration or control of the property of the person in whose name the location is registered.
– “Inspector of mines” means an inspector of mines appointed under the Mines Act.
– “Licence” means a licence issued in terms of section seven.
– “Licensed dealer” means a dealer licensed under section seven.
– “Mines Act” refers to the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05].
– “Mining commissioner” means a mining commissioner appointed under the Mines Act.
– “Mining location” means a mining location registered under the Mines Act.
– “Minister” means the Minister of Mines or any other Minister to whom the President may assign the administration of this Act from time to time.
– “Permit” means a permit issued under section eight.
– “Permit holder” refers to the holder of a permit.
– “Postal article” means any letter, parcel, packet, newspaper, or any other article in the course of transmission by post or intended to be transmitted by post.
– “Precious stones” means rough or uncut diamonds, rough or uncut emeralds, or any other substance which is declared to be precious stones for the purposes of this Act under subsection (2). [Definition substituted by section 2 Act No. 10 of 2007]
– “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Ministry for which the Minister is responsible.
– “Tributor” means the lessee or assignee of the rights of the holder of a mining location.

(2) The Minister may, by notice in a statutory instrument, declare any substance to be precious stones for the purposes of this Act.

Download the PRECIOUS STONES TRADE ACT

Law on Emeralds in Zimbabwe: Woman Jailed 5 years for Possession

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Law on Emeralds in Zimbabwe: Woman Jailed 5 years for Possession

Zimbabwe Miners were shocked when a Harare Magistrate sentenced a 49-year-old Kariba woman to five years in Prison for the illegal possession of emeralds worth US$3 015,60.

Rutendo Moyo was arrested on Saturday last week.

Moyo, who was self-actor, pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to the mandatory five years by Harare magistrate Ruth Moyo.

The court heard that on July 1 this year, detectives from CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit in Harare received a tip-off from an unknown person that Moyo was in possession of emeralds.

Moyo was arrested while walking along Samora Michael Avenue after the detectives approached her and asked her to hand over a black satchel and a small dark blue handbag she was carrying.

The court heard that the detectives recovered four pieces of emeralds from her.

Many were not aware of the law that prohibits the possession of Emeralds. Last year the Centre for Natural Resources Governance (CNRG) released a report titled “The Political Economy of the Illicit Coloured Gemstone Industry in Zimbabwe”, supported by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime.

The research looked at coloured gemstones, mainly emeralds and “semi-precious” coloured stones like aquamarine, chrysoberyl, tourmaline, alexandrite and euclase.

“A lot of focus has been on diamonds and gold, as precious minerals, while severe illicit trading in and smuggling of coloured gemstones has been going unchecked. Organised crime in the gemstone sector is bleeding the sector of millions of dollars that should support social development in Zimbabwe,” reads the report in part.

The report seemed to indicate that whilst illegal, the mining and smuggling of Emeralds was taking place in the country.

Here is what the law says on the possession of Emeralds in Zimbabwe.

CHAPTER 21:06 PRECIOUS STONES TRADE ACT Acts 8/1978, 1/1982, 22/2001 (s. 4), 10/2007.

The Law on Emerald Possession in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe in 2007 amended the Mines and Minerals Act to curb the smuggling of precious stones, especially diamonds and emeralds, and plug loopholes in the trade of the stones. The Act imposes custodial sentences for illegally dealing in or possessing precious stones.

Unlawful dealing in or possession of precious stones prohibited

(1) Except as provided in this Act, no person shall deal in or possess precious stones unless he is— (a) a licensed dealer; or

(b) a permit holder; or

(c) the holder of a mining location or a tributor who has lawfully recovered such precious stones in terms of any enactment; or

(d) the employee or agent of any person referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) who is authorized by his employer or principal to deal in or possess on his behalf precious stones; and deals in or possesses the precious stones in accordance with this Act.

(2) Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and, on conviction, shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a period of not less than five years and, in addition, be liable to a fine of any amount up to or exceeding level fourteen, unless the convicted person satisfies the court that there are special reasons in the particular case, which reasons shall be recorded by the court, why such a sentence should not be imposed, in which event he or she shall be liable to a fine of any amount up to or exceeding level fourteen or imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

[Subsection substituted by section 3of Act No. 10 of 2007]

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Magistrates Court Act [Chapter 7:10] or any other enactment—

(a) a court of a provincial or senior magistrate shall have special jurisdiction, on summary trial or on remittal by the Attorney-General of the case for trial or sentence, to impose imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years and a fine of any amount up to or exceeding any amount up to or exceeding level fourteen;

[Paragraph as amended by section 4 of Act No. 22 of 2001 and section 3 of Act No. 10 of 2007]

(b) a court of a magistrate other than a regional, provincial or senior magistrate shall have special jurisdiction, on summary trial or on remittal by the Attorney-General of the case for trial or sentence, to impose imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years and a fine of any amount up to or exceeding level fourteen; in respect of a contravention of subsection (1).

[Paragraph as amended by section 4 of Act No. 22 of 2001 and section 3 of Act No. 10 of 2007]

(4) Upon the trial of any accused for a contravention of subsection (1), the burden shall lie upon such accused of proving that he falls within one of the exceptions provided in that subsection.

(5) A court sentencing a person to imprisonment under subsection (2) shall not order the suspension of any part of the sentence if the effect of such suspension is that the convicted person will serve a period of less than three years.

5 Conditions on which miners may deal in or possess precious stones

The holder of a mining location or a tributor may only—

(a) possess precious stones which have been lawfully recovered by him or on his behalf from the mining location in respect of which he holds mining rights; or

(b) deal in precious stones referred to in paragraph (a) with a licensed dealer or permit holder and then only to the extent to which such licensed dealer or permit holder is permitted in terms of this Act, any other enactment relating to dealing in precious stones and by the terms of their licenses or permits, as the case may be, to deal in precious stones; or

(c) export precious stones referred to in paragraph (a) subject to any other enactment relating to the export of precious stones.

(2) A permit holder may only—

(a) possess precious stones in accordance with his permit; or

(b) deal in precious stones with a person referred to in section five, a licensed dealer or a permit holder and then only to the extent to which he and such other person are permitted in terms of this Act, any other enactment relating to dealing in precious stones and by the terms of their licences or permits, as the case may be, to deal in precious stones.

Zimbabwe commissions biggest lithium processing plant in Africa

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Zimbabwe commissions biggest lithium processing plant in Africa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday commissioned the Arcadia Lithium processing plant which is the biggest hard rock lithium processing plant in Africa and sits top three hard rock lithium processing plants in the world.

Rudairo Mapuranga

The Arcadia lithium project in Goromonzi is owned by one of the world’s biggest battery metal producers, Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt’s Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ).

The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development set a roadmap to create a US$12 Billion industry by 2023 as a contribution to Vision 2030 with lithium being one of the key minerals to contribute to this growth.

PLZ invested US$300 million on the rapid development of a lithium mine and a process plant at the Arcadia lithium project as it is geared to contribute significantly towards the attainment of the government’s vision to achieve a US$12 billion mining industry by the end of 2023.

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe on the sidelines of the commissioning of PLZ 4.5 million tonnes per annum processing plant in Goromonzi, PLZ Head of Corporation Social Responsibility (CSR) Mr Paul Chimbodza said the completion of the project is testimony that Zimbabwe is indeed open for business.

“The completion of the PLZ plant is testimony that you can successfully take projects from exploration to production so that talks a lot about the value chain of taking up the curve. It also buttresses the fact that we have got world-class deposits in Zimbabwe. This project here sits as the largest lithium processing plant hard rock in Africa and sits in the top 3 hard rock in the world. The official opening takes to the ease of doing business that you can take project inception to production. Annual throughput of 4.5 million tonnes a year,” Chimbodza said.

In his address at the Event Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon Winston Chitando, said the commissioning of the plant was a step in support of the recently gazetted lithium policy which stipulates that no unprocessed lithium leaves the country.

“Your Excellency, my Ministry, together with all stakeholders in the mining sector, worked on a Lithium Policy that was recently effected by the government to provide guidelines on every activity pertaining to lithium mining and processing. I must say the Policy has started bearing fruit with local beneficiation of lithium being supported across the country. Our thrust should therefore be now aimed at ensuring value addition to these minerals once they are beneficiated,” Chitando said.

The President giving his keynote address commended PLZ for the construction of the plant that it was positive towards reducing unemployment.

“Construction of Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe’s processing plant has directly brought about numerous employment opportunities for our people with a total of 3,000 people including contractors having been employed. Nearly 80% of both skilled and unskilled personnel employed by Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe are locals. This will therefore go a long way in reducing unemployment,” President Mnangagwa said.

Caledonia continues to pursue its multi-asset strategy in Zimbabwe

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Caledonia continues to pursue its multi-asset strategy in Zimbabwe

Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc is excited about business opportunities in Zimbabwe and will continue to pursue its strategy to become a multi-asset Zimbabwe-focused gold producer, CEO Mark Learmonth said.

Rudairo Mapuranga

The company on Monday announced that the Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of 14 United States cents (US$0.14) on each of the company’s shares.

Commenting on the announcement, Learmonth said Caledonia has a reputation for rewarding shareholders through growth and dividends.

“Over the last 10 years, Caledonia has built a strong reputation for delivering on its word and rewarding shareholders through growth and dividends.

“The last 18 months have seen much change in the shape of the business: we have acquired three new gold projects in Zimbabwe and we commissioned the 12MWac solar plant which provides about a quarter of Blanket’s average daily electricity requirements.

“I am very excited with the opportunity that we have to evolve the business as we pursue our strategy to become a multi-asset, Zimbabwe-focused gold producer,” Learmonth said.

Botswana government to get 50% in Debswana

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Botswana government to get 50% in Debswana

The government of Botswana through its Okavango Diamond Co (ODC) has agreed to a new Diamond sales deal with Anglo-American’s De Beers which sees ODC gradually increasing its Diamond share from their joint venture Debswana to 50 per cent over the next decade, it has been revealed.

The Botswana government and De Beers said they had agreed on a 10-year sales deal for Debswana’s rough diamond production through to 2033, and on a 25-year Debswana mining licence valid until 2054.

ODC will receive 30% of produce from Debswana from the start of the new contract and this will be scaled up to 50% in the last year of the pact, De Beers and the government said in a joint statement.

“From the start of the new contract period ODC will receive 30 per cent of Debswana production, progressively increasing to 50 per cent by the final year of the contract, ensuring a sustainable transition path for both partners,” De Beers said in the statement.

The miner will also pump in 1 billion pula ($75 million) towards a diamond fund which would invest in “additional value to the Botswana economy,” the company said, adding the contributions would grow 10 times over the next 10 years.

Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who has been pushing for a bigger share of Debswana’s output, had threatened to sever ties with the mining company if the government’s concerns weren’t reflected in the new deal that has been in negotiation since 2018.

The Botswana-De Beers agreement allows the partners to advance the investment required to secure Debswana’s position as one of the world’s leading gem producers, De Beers said.

Botswana, where De Beers has been present for 50 years, is heavily reliant on diamonds, with two-thirds of its foreign currency receipts coming from mining, sales and ancillary activities linked to the precious stone.

BREAKING: ZMF AGM postponed 

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BREAKING: ZMF AGM postponed 

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) annual General Conference and Exhibition which was scheduled to take place from the 6th to the 7th of July has been postponed to a date yet to be announced.

Rudairo Mapuranga

An official statement is yet to be published, however, the ZMF President Ms Henrietta Rushwaya has confirmed to Mining Zimbabwe that the AGM will no longer be held on 6-7 July as advertised.

“Please note The ZMF AGM will no longer be held on 6-7 July as planned. It will now be held in September at a date to be announced. Any inconvenience caused is sincerely regretted,” Rushwaya said.

This year’s event was designed to gather artisanal and small-scale miners, large-scale miners, stakeholders, service providers, investors, and policymakers to holistically align the artisanal and small-scale miners in the mainstream economy in the most sustainable and rational manner.

Running under the theme “Responsible Mining: A Catalyst for Sustainable Economic Development.” the event aims to discuss the policy measures affecting ASM operations and assess the implications on the growth of the mining industry.

More to follow…

ZINIRE determined to extend Rock Engineering solutions to ASM

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ZINIRE determined to extend Rock Engineering solutions to ASM

As part of its strategy to eliminate disaster in the mining industry in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe National Institute of Rock Engineering (ZINIRE) is planning to take rock Engineering solutions to the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) sector.

Rudairo Mapuranga

Zimbabwe has been plagued with mine disasters over the last few months, often resulting in the death of scores of miners. Most of the mine accidents have occurred at illegally and legally run disused mines (by artisanal miners) with a few happening at legally operating small-scale mines.

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe on the sidelines of the ZINIRE Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Bulawayo on Saturday, the institute’s newly appointed President Regious Tirivabaya said his organization was going to lead in terms of awareness and training in rock engineering solutions to avoid disaster.

“There is also a growing sector of small-scale miners which we should not forget most so because we have seen a lot of accidents related to fall of ground in this sector. Our thrust there will be to lead in terms of awareness and training on proper mining methods to avoid these fatal accidents that we have seen over the years,” Tirivabaya said.

Speaking at the event ZINIRE Vice President said Rock Engineers and service providers should come up with solutions for the small-scale industry to avoid disaster and accidents.

“The ASM has come with its challenges particularly fall of ground. I implore this fraternity to broaden its scope to assist the industry. Let us work together to fully integrate rock engineering in the whole mining interests,” Mandingaisa said.

The Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) which is a member of ZINIRE represented by Mrs Ndiweni said it has been offering solutions and training for the ASM and was determined to see other institutes such as ZINIRE taking part at full scale.

“We have seen that technical institutions are mostly focusing on rock engineering solutions on large-scale mining operations but as ZSM we are giving a holistic approach where we also research and overtraining on finding rock engineering solutions for the ASM,” Ndiweni said.

Zimbabwe National Institute of Rock Engineering held its AGM and Annual Symposium in Bulawayo on the first of July 2023.

This is ZINIRE’s annual event which brings all rock mechanics/engineering practitioners under one roof. The event brings together professionals and experts in the field of rock engineering to discuss and deliberate on various issues and advancements in the industry.

The AGM served as a platform for the ZINIRE members to discuss ongoing projects, share experiences, and present their achievements over the past year. It provided an opportunity for members to reflect on the challenges faced and collaborations achieved in the pursuit of promoting rock engineering in Zimbabwe.

Renias Tirivabaya appointed ZINIRE President

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Renias Tirivabaya appointed ZINIRE President

Bindura Nickel Corporation’s Geology Superintendent Renias Tirivabaya has been appointed Zimbabwe National Institute of Rock Engineering (ZINIRE) President.

Kelvin Sungiso

Tirivabaya was appointed to lead the Rock Engineering organisation at the just-ended ZINIRE AGM and Symposium held last week in Bulawayo.

Tirivabaya will be at the helm of the organisation for a 2-year term.

Tirivabaya will be deputized by Unki’s Omberai Mandingaisa, Zimplats’ Munyaradzi Musembwa as Treasurer, and Mimosa’s Freddy Chikwiri as Secretary. The Vice President (on the previous term) automatically becomes President-elect while the Vice President and Treasurer are elected by the Council which is the highest decision-making body of the Institute. Patrick Mushangwe, David Benson, Rangarirai Mahove, Chanetsa Sibanda, Senzeni Moyo, Nosizo Ncube and Ambition Mubvumbi will serve as Council Members.

Tirivabaya takes over from Adias Mudzovaniwa who has been at the helm of the Institute for the past 2 years.

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