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Zim accepts KP chairmanship, promises to leave a lasting legacy

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Zim accepts KP chairmanship, promises to leave a lasting legacy

Zimbabwe has assumed the chairmanship of the Kimberly Process (KP) that will see the country leading the scheme in 2023 and has promised to leave a lasting legacy and a positive impact on the KP.

Rudairo Mapuranga

As chair, Zimbabwe will oversee the implementation of the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) and operations of the working groups, Committees and administration that activate the KP.

The Republic of Zimbabwe will be deputized by the United Arab Emirates who will be the KP Vice Chair for 2023.

The year 2023 is the KP’s reform year where a host of changes are expected including conflict diamonds definition, implementation of tripartite arrangements in participating countries and strengthening best practices for the Artisanal and Small scale mining in diamond-producing regions among others.

In his acceptance speech, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon Winston Chitando said Zimbabwe was committed to leaving a lasting legacy as well as a positive impact on the KP and will diligently work closely with the Working Groups and Committees to deliver its mandate as the chair.

“On behalf of the Republic of Zimbabwe, we are honoured to accept the KP Chairmanship (2023).

“We will diligently work closely with the Working Groups and Committees to deliver on, among others, the following areas;

  1. KP Review Cycle: so that we build the KP we want as the KP Family. As agreed we will focus on identified reform areas that include definition, technical assistance, community involvement and strengthening KP governance, to be spearheaded by the Ad Hoc Committee on Review and Reform
  2. Peer Review system: so that we enhance compliance

iii. Implementation of the tripartite arrangement in all Participating countries: to ensure best practices as diamonds are for the people

  1. Strengthening of best practices for Artisanal and Small Scale Mining in diamond-producing regions, such as the Mano River Union among others
  2. Digitalization of KP certificates among other initiatives

“These will be achieved through seeking consensus amongst participants and observers as well as continuous consultation with Chairs of Working Groups and Committees.

“The KP Review Cycle is starting in 2023. This is a critical stage for repositioning the KP to remain relevant in the global rough diamond trade. We can assure you that the Republic of Zimbabwe as the KP Chair, will aim for a successful start to the Review Cycle. We will seek to achieve consensus in reaching all decisions as per KP rules.

“It is our commitment to leave a positive impact on the KP as well as a lasting legacy, ” Hon Chitando said.

Dr Michael YoBoue Coordinator of the Kimberly Process Civil Society Coalition (KPCSC) said Zimbabwe has already proven that it will successfully implement reforms when the KP review visited the country and witnessed a lot of positives.

“As we move towards 2023 which is a KP reform year, it is important for Zimbabwe as incoming Chair to set out its planned goals and modalities for achieving consensus on expanding conflict diamond definition and helping in finding a lasting solution on how the KP can address any situation that might give rise to diamond-related human rights violations in any part of the world. We all found comfort this year that Zimbabwe turned the corner on such matters when the Review Visit found a lot of positives. It should not slide back. It should instead be the torch bearer for reforming the KP on expanding the definition. The long overdue expansion of the KP’s conflict diamond definition should include diamonds associated with widespread or systematic violence and serious violations of human rights, regardless of whether they are committed by rebel groups, criminals, terrorists, private or public security forces or any governmental actor. The reform process, however, needs to go beyond the expansion of the definition and also address governance and decision-making,” Dr YoBoue said.

About the Kimberly Process (KP)

The Kimberley Process (KP) is a multilateral trade regime established in 2003 with the goal of preventing the flow of conflict diamonds. The core of this regime is the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) under which States implement safeguards on shipments of rough diamonds and certify them as “conflict-free”.

Under the terms of the KPCS participants must:

  1. Satisfy ‘minimum requirements and establish national legislation, institutions and import/export controls.
  2. Commit to transparent practices and to the exchange of critical statistical data.
  3. Trade only with fellow members who also satisfy the fundamentals of the agreement.
  4. Certify shipments as conflict-free and provide the supporting certification.

Kamativi revival, production scheduled before June 2023

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Kamativi revival, production scheduled before June 2023

Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) which currently is undertaking extensive exploration at the once-biggest tin mine in Zimbabwe has projected to begin its lithium mining and processing by the end of the first half of next year.

The company which is a joint venture between China’s PD Group and Kamativi Tin Mines Limited has since September 2021 drilled over 70 holes and is currently drilling 100 more holes which will authenticate the former tin mine as the country’s biggest lithium spodumene ore body.

samples at Kamativi lithium mine
Some of the samples at Kamative lithium Mine

According to the company’s Project Manager Mr Turkey Liang, the development of Kamativi Mining Company will be in two phases. The first phase is expected to debut production by the end of June 2023 joining Bikita Minerals in contributing towards the attainment of the US$0.5 billion lithium annual revenue from 2023.

During the first phase, KMC is expecting to construct a plant with the capacity to process 0.6 million tonnes of ore per year. The company will conduct major upgrades to the plant to restore the asset to its former glory.

“During Phase 1 we plan to restore and refurbish all dilapidated infrastructure, construction, water supply and reticulation infrastructure, power supply infrastructure, roads and transportation systems, communication systems, administrative office facilities, scientific research and technical services, employee living facilities, commercial services facilities, as well as public engineering facilities and public life service facilities such as landscaping, environmental protection, culture, education and health etc. Meanwhile, we are looking to build a facility which can process a minimum of 0.6 million tonnes of raw ore per year with an output of lithium, tantalum, niobium etc integrated multi-metal concentrate products and process in our assorted laboratory,” he told Mining Zimbabwe.

He said Phase 2 of KMC development (expected to be complete by end of September 2024), will see the company constructing a facility to enable it to process 1.2 million tonnes of ore per year.

“During Phase 2 we will complete the construction of the underground well or stripping, mineral processing plant construction and facilities, tailings pond and other construction of ancillary production facilities. We are going to complete the installation of all kinds of equipment, electrical, fire protection, ventilation, communication engineering, safety monitoring, automatic control system, and other finishing work of mine construction. According to the detailed exploration result, we are planning to build a mining engineering plant with a mining capacity of 1.2 million tonnes of ore per year and an assorted dressing plant with an output capacity of 200 thousand tonnes per year. Phase 2 is estimated to get into production by the end of September 2024,” he said.

Exploration by Kamativi Mining Company (KMC)

Mining Zimbabwe recently visited KMC on a fact-finding mission on the progress by the Kamativi Mining Company. This publication has established that between September 2021 and March 2022 Phase-one drilling commenced with 38 holes being drilled to the depth of 2140 m  Phase-one drilling focuses on open-cast areas with shallow holes for Open Cast Mining.

Diamond drilling in progress at Kamativi Lithium Mine
A worker monitors Diamond drilling progress at Kamativi Lithium Mine (November 2022)

Between April 2022-June 2022 Phase-two drilling commenced with the company managing to drill 28 holes of 5000m. The drilling was for underground mining with Mineral Processing research currently ongoing. Phase-two detailed drilling of 100 holes of around  15000m was also carried out with Detailed exploration for underground mining and resource report and feasibility study currently underway.

Currently, 4900m have been drilled from late September 2022 with 8 rigs on site with another 4 rigs expected by early November bringing the total to 12 rigs. The work will lead to locating the first mining area, designing for mining and carrying out mining activity.

Lithium rush in Mberengwa

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Lithium rush in Mberengwa

Zimbabwe’s policies are once again in the spotlight after more than 5 000 artisanal miners and fortune seekers, including foreigners, have descended on the former Sandawana Mine in Mberengwa, Midlands province, in search of lithium which is reportedly exported to foreign markets across the world.

Sandawana Mine is in the state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) portfolio and has been famed for producing emeralds and other precious stones.

Lithium is a rare mineral whose production is currently taking place in only eight countries, with 85% of the global supply coming from Australia, Chile and China.

Zimbabwe is the world’s fifth-largest lithium producer. Its lithium output has risen steadily in recent years, producing 1 200 metric tonnes of the metal in 2021.

Government is bullish on the quantum of the metal within its borders with Mines minister Winston Chitando recently telling the media that Zimbabwe has the potential to account for 20% of global lithium demand when all known lithium resources are exploited. However, unscrupulous dealers have been siphoning the mineral through Zimbabwe’s porous borders amid reports that most of the lithium from Mberengwa is being shipped into South Africa with dealers manipulating the laxity at the Beitbridge border post.

Unscrupulous dealers have, according to an investigation carried out by the Zimbabwe Independent this week, been on the ground in Mberengwa, shipping out the precious mineral much to the prejudice of the state.

The mineral is reportedly being exported to countries like South Africa with authorities reportedly also cashing in on the illicit and unregulated mining activities in the area.

The US dollar-seeking artisanal miners are earning at most US$150 per tonne while investigations done in Mberengwa and South Africa revealed that the “buyers” are earning as much as US$800 when they resale the mineral.

The Independent this week visited the mountains in Mberengwa where more than 5 000 artisanal miners have been camped in the last month, mining lithium ore while trucks from South Africa are based at the mining sites.

Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura confirmed that the government was aware of the developments.

“We have just heard of what is happening in Mberengwa, but I am visiting the place tomorrow (today). We will make a statement after the visit tomorrow,” Kambamura said in an interview yesterday.

On Wednesday police details visited the place and issued a four-day ultimatum for the miners to vacate the place.

The latest development has however attracted the attention of environmentalists and pressure groups who are worried about the involvement of corrupt government officials and foreigners in the pillaging of the country’s resources.

Speaking to the Independent, a villager revealed that the pillaging, which has been going on for just about a month, has shocked even government officials.

“The former miners used to get emerald and tantalite but we have just discovered that we could get these minerals for export,” the villagers noted.

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president Henrietta Rushwaya who visited the area advised miners to respect the laws of the land.

“We want our people to benefit from Zimbabwe’s natural resources, so we expect villagers to own claims, but that has to be done in a proper manner. We need to respect the laws of the land and we understand there are economic hardships, but mining has procedures which must be followed. Lawlessness in the mining sector is a thing of the past,” Rushwaya said.

In various interviews, environmentalists said lithium required government intervention to protect the villagers who have been bearing the brunt of the latest developments.

Environmentalist and Reyna Trust executive director Sydney Chisi said lithium was becoming a critical mineral that could help Zimbabwe in adding value to its minerals.

“However, as long as we don’t have the technology and technology transfer and value addition to our minerals, then foreign nationals will come and extract our minerals as raw. Zimbabwe as a country susceptible to climate change will always buy these products at a high price as we continue to struggle to add value to our minerals,” Chisi said.

However, Centre for Natural Resources Governance director Farai Maguwu said the situation in Mberengwa was prone to abuse by government and Zanu-PF officials taking advantage of the laxity of controls in the mining sector.

“I think mining has become a major distraction and the government is using mining as a way of diverting people’s attention from important issues. But this is coming with a big cost considering the haphazard manner in which Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth is being accessed,” Maguwu said.

He said foreign syndicates are taking advantage of this confusion and have been milking the country’s wealth for nothing.

“The whole world is moving towards lithium. It is a transition mineral used for the movement to renewable energy. So it’s sad that we don’t have policy documents on lithium. There is a predatory approach by the government. And when you look at the informal manner in which people are extracting the mineral, it means there is going to be an environmental catastrophe. An environmental Armageddon will unfold and the government will come later when they realise that the deposits are large like they did in Marange. Maybe they are going to use the army, which is a drastic measure.

“Overally, Zimbabwe needs dialogue on mineral governance. The country needs a natural resource charter where we have the government and the citizens agreeing on how best to govern our minerals. Future generations will also need to account for these resources that we are giving away for nothing,” Maguwu said.

Over the course of this year, President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially opened a number of lithium mining companies but there hasn’t been much talk on the beneficiation of the mineral.

Sources: Zimbabwe Independent

21 illegal miners’ corpses discovered

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21 illegal miners’ corpses discovered

South African police are investigating the discovery of at least 21 bodies suspected of being illegal miners that were found near an active mine in the town of Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg.

According to police, 19 bodies were discovered on Wednesday afternoon and two more were discovered on Thursday morning. Police said they suspect that the bodies were moved to the location where they were found, which is a privately-owned mine.

“We can confirm that this morning our search and rescue team went back to the scene and, as they were searching, they discovered two more bodies. They retrieved them from an open (mine) shaft,” police spokeswoman Brenda Muridili said Thursday.

Muridili said evidence found on the scene suggested the people did not die where their bodies were found but “no foul play” was suspected. The bodies would undergo autopsies, she said.

The Sowetan newspaper reported that the bodies were those of illegal miners who died when a tunnel at a different mine collapsed, although police declined to confirm that before the results of the autopsies. The Sowetan, quoting an unnamed illegal miner, said the bodies were moved so police wouldn’t find where the illegal mining was taking place.

The grim discovery is the latest in a series of incidents related to illegal mining in the Krugersdorp area. In July, eight female members of a film crew were raped and robbed at an abandoned mine in the area, where they were working on a music video shoot. The incident sparked violent protests against illegal miners in surrounding communities.

Last week, rape and robbery charges against 14 men, who are also suspected of being illegal miners, were withdrawn after police couldn’t link them to the rapes through DNA evidence. The men were arrested during police raids on the abandoned mine where the rapes took place.

Illegal mining is rife in South Africa, with miners known locally as “Zama Zamas” searching for gold at the many disused and abandoned mines in and around the Johannesburg region. Krugersdorp is a mining town on the western edge of Johannesburg.

Illegal mining gangs are considered dangerous by the police, are usually armed and are known to fight violent turf battles with rival groups. The trade is believed to be dominated by immigrants who enter illegally from neighbouring countries Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The 14 men who had rape and robbery charges against them dropped are accused of being in South Africa illegally and have been charged with immigration offences.

 

Rape and robbery charges against 14 illegal miners dropped

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Rape and robbery charges against 14 illegal miners dropped

Krugersdorp (South Africa) Magistrates’ Court last week acquitted 14 illegal miners who were accused of charges of rape, sexual assault, and robbery with aggravating circumstances.

The rape and robbery charges against 14 men, among them Zimbabweans, who are also suspected of being illegal miners, were withdrawn after police couldn’t link them to the rapes through DNA evidence. The men were arrested during police raids on the abandoned mine where the rapes took place.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said that the alleged illegal miners remained in custody and would now only face a charge of contravening the Immigration Act.

“The decision to withdraw all the mentioned charges was informed by the outcome of the DNA results, which excluded all the accused, as well as a consultation process that the NPA had with all the complainants in the matter,” she added.

Illegal mining is rife in South Africa, with miners known locally as “Zama Zamas” searching for gold at the many disused and abandoned mines in and around the Johannesburg region. Krugersdorp is a mining town on the western edges of Johannesburg.

Illegal mining gangs are considered dangerous by the police, are usually armed and are known to fight violent turf battles with rival groups. The trade is believed to be dominated by immigrants who enter illegally from neighbouring countries namely Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

The 14 men who had rape and robbery charges against them dropped are accused of being in South Africa illegally and have been charged with immigration offences.

Gemfields to auction 37,555-gram emerald cluster

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Gemfields to auction 37,555-gram emerald cluster

Africa-focused Gemfields (LON: GEM) (JSE: GML) will sell a cluster of emeralds weighing 187,775 carats (37,555 grams) through an auction, with bidding closing on November 17.

The coloured gems producer said the Kafubu Cluster, discovered at its Kagem emerald mine in Zambia in March 2020 is likely to become the most expensive single emerald piece it has ever sold.

“Rarity is one of the factors that makes emeralds hold such a special value in many cultures around the world,” Jackson Mtonga, Kagem Assistant Sort House Manager, said in a statement. “But the combination of this crystal cluster formation, the overall quality and the sheer enormity of the Kafubu Cluster is something I never thought possible.”

The piece took its name from the Kafubu river, which forms a natural boundary for the emerald mine in the southern part of the Kagem licence.

Gemfields said that Zambian emeralds tend to have a higher iron content than emeralds from other origins, which means they are less fragile. High iron content also means fewer surface-reaching fractures and less need for treatments and enhancements.

Eyes on Asia

Gemfields, which has operations in both Mozambique and Zambia, has stepped up efforts to market its emeralds and rubies in China after a report highlighted the “huge potential” for ethically sourced gems in that market.

Top diamond miners are already moving into that direction. The Natural Diamond Council (NDC), which groups the world’s seven leading producers, launched last year its first advertising campaign targeting the Asian and US markets.

NDC also inked a deal with China’s top jewellery retailer Chow Tai Fook to boost demand for mined rocks.

Mining 

 

Diamonds trade watchdog mulls fate of Russian gems

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Diamonds trade watchdog mulls fate of Russian gems

The Kimberley Process (KP), an international scheme that certifies rough diamond exports, is expected to decide this week whether Russian diamonds should be declared conflict gems.

Members of the KP are meeting in Gaborone, Botswana until Friday and one of the main topics on the agenda is to discuss whether Russian diamonds are funding the war in Ukraine.

The debate would be around whether to broaden the KP’s definition of conflict diamonds to include state actors.

The certification scheme, set up in the early 2000s, defines conflict diamonds as gems used to fund rebel movements seeking to undermine legitimate governments.

The KP has the power to ban gem exports from certain countries, as it did in 2013 when rebels seized power in the Central African Republic.

World Diamond Council president, Edward Asscher, believes the Russia-Ukraine conflict should be kept out of discussions held this week.

“As I stated publicly, irrespective of what I or my colleagues may feel personally about the dreadful events in Central Europe, a war between two sovereign states clearly falls outside the current mandate of the KP,” the industry body leader told the plenary.

“That is fact, and we would be compounding a tragedy if we allowed the war in Europe to damage what we are able to achieve in Africa,” Asscher said.

Back on the market

Russia’s Alrosa (MCX: ALRS), the world’s top diamond producer by output, has already been affected by sanctions from the United States and Britain. The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), the leading standards organization of the global jewellery and watch industry, suspended Alrosa’s membership in April.

The miner, which accounts for about a third of global rough-diamond supply, is back selling more than $250 million worth of diamonds a month, with sales currently only about $50 to $100 million a month below pre-war levels.

While there is no indication that Alrosa has breached sanctions or laws, there is still a widespread unease about the implications of dealing with Russian companies.

Based on estimates from the KP and the United Nations, the only current case of rebel forces controlling diamond-producing areas is in Côte d’Ivoire, in West Africa. That constitutes less than 0.1% of the world’s production.

Mining 

Implats hints at another extension of RBPlat buy-out

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Implats hints at another extension of RBPlat buy-out

ZIMPLATS mother company, Impala Platinum (Implats) has advised that the outstanding Competition Tribunal approval of its offer to buy out all remaining ordinary shares of fellow platinum group metals miner Royal Bafokeng Platinum (RBPlat) will not be finalised by November 3.

Although it does still believe that the current date set for fulfilment or waiver of the conditions precedent the long-stop date of November 22 is still achievable, it notes that it reserves the right to further extend the long-stop date.

Only once Implats has more certainty on the commission’s approval process can it make further announcements on the dates and times for the offer.

The Competition Commission May recommended that the Tribunal approve the merger.

Implats has been steadily increasing its shareholding in RBPlat since it first mentioned its intention to take over the company in November 2021 at a value of R150 a share – R90 in cash and R60 in shares.

Implats’ current stake in RBPlat is 40.66%, while fellow platinum miner Northam Platinum holds a 35% stake.

Mining Weekly

Miner trapped 100 metres underground for 4 days

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Miner trapped 100 metres underground for 4 days

When 22-year-old Mr Rania Moyo left home at around 4 am on Thursday last week for work at Velocity 36 Mine in Silobela, he never bothered to bid his parents goodbye as he believed he would return home as usual.

There was no way he could have known that one hour later he was going to be trapped 100 metres underground for the next four days.

When he arrived at work that day, he met his workmates and they proceeded to enter the mine shaft at around 5 am. Soon after, the shaft started collapsing and his two workmates managed to navigate through the cave-in, to reach the entrance.

The shaft where Rania Moyo was trapped underground for four days at Velocity 36 Mine in Silobela

They escaped right before a big boulder fell and blocked the opening, trapping Mr Moyo inside the shaft.

“The moment l realised l was trapped underground in that shaft, l prayed to God asking him to accept my soul in heaven because l did not think l would come out alive,” said Mr Moyo, who was rescued on Monday afternoon and is recovering from his home in Silobela.

“It was around 5 am and we had just entered the shaft when the mine started caving in. We immediately moved towards the entrance trying to escape before it could get blocked,” he said.

Mr Moyo said he knew death was suddenly catching up with him when he was trapped in the shaft in a space so small that he could not even stretch his legs or sit up straight. He was trapped in a space so dark he could not even see his own hands. He said temperatures also dropped and he felt like he was going to freeze inside the shaft that Thursday morning.

“I could not even move a muscle and l knew screaming was not going to help. I do not know when was the last time l prayed, but on that day, l prayed really hard, asking God to accept my soul when l get to heaven. I apologised for all the wrong things that l have done in my life because l didn’t think I would survive,” said Mr Moyo.

The miner said he is not really sure what day or time it was when he finally heard movement and voices of people outside trying to communicate with him.

“Because l had no food or water, whenever I started feeling weak l would scoop a handful of soil and eat it to try and regain my energy,” Mr Moyo said.

He said the shaft became his home and toilet for what he has now been told were four days.

“On the day the entrance was opened l could not believe l had survived. It seemed like a dream because l have never heard of anyone who survives being underground for days without food and water,” he said.

The miner said he was taken to Silobela District Hospital where he was checked and given boosters to regain his energy. He was discharged on the same day and is still recovering from home.

Will this mine worker go back to the mine where he nearly died?

“I have no choice, but to go back to the shaft as soon as I regain my strength because this is the only source of income that l know. If l do not go back in the mine shaft, it means my family will go hungry,” he said.

The miner’s mother, Mrs Polite Moyo, said she arrived at the scene on Saturday and never thought she would ever see her son alive again

She said when he was rescued, he was taken for a medical check-up.

“He came out on Monday; it was on the fifth day. He did not eat anything. I never thought he would come out alive,” she said.

Kwekwe District Civil Protection Unit chairperson Mr Fortune Mpungu thanked everyone who came to rescue Mr Moyo.

“When l heard the news, I immediately put the word out that help was needed at the mine. The Ministry of Mines, police, small-scale miners, and the community came to help the CPU in saving the young man. This incident showed everyone that a community comes together in times of need and they assist each other,” he said.

He said the teams camped outside the shaft regularly engaging with the miner to ensure that he was still alive.

“I am urging all small-scale miners to ensure that their mines are regularly inspected to ensure the safety of their miners. Miners should avoid going underground when it is raining as the soil will be loose,” said Mr Mpungu. –

Chronicle

Zimbabwe exports 20,000 tons of coal to China

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Zimbabwe exports 20,000 tons of coal to China

Zimbabwe shipped its first coal to China, exporting 20,000 tons as part of a trial run to a customer in the cement industry.

The coal was transported via the Mozambican port of Beira, Linos Masimura, chairman of the Zimbabwe Coal Producers Association, said in an interview.

“There are other orders which may come through,” said Masimura, who declined to give further details of the coal contract.

While a property slump has weighed on growth, there is speculation that China may seek to reopen the economy despite its Covid Zero policy. China is also building a vast array of new coal-fired power stations, amid concern over the global squeeze in energy supplies.

Zimbabwe usually reserves the country’s coal output for domestic electricity generation but started shipping the fuel last year after demand dipped from the Hwange power plant. Masimura said there has also been interest from European firms, but no deals have been concluded.

“We have had some inquiries from Europe, but these for now are coming through third parties who are mostly based in South Africa,” he said.

Bloomberg

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