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Zimbabwe loses 100pc mining land to foreign investors

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Zimbabwe loses 100pc mining land to foreign investors

Zimbabweans are losing mining concessions and claims that they struggled to acquire through the reversal of the indigenous laws that protected Zimbabwean citizens from losing their land to foreign investors who can now own up to 100 percent of the mining land, former Minister of Youth and Indigenisation Saviour Kasukuwere has said. 

Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking at the memorial service of the former president of Zimbabwe which was hosted by South Africa’s Economic Freedom Front (EFF), Kasukuwere blasted the current government for reversing the indigenisation and economic act which was targeted at empowering Africans in having control over their land.

Chairperson of Norton Miners Association Privilege Moyo has supported Kasukuwere saying that Zimbabwe needs to look into its policies , and prioritise the local ownership by making sure that foreign investors are not treated the same as local investors.

According to Moyo, a foreign firm or investor can come to Zimbabwe and buy 1250 hectares of mining land for less than USD 4000, which is the same yardstick that is used when selling land to locals.

“…there has to be a difference in the way in which mining concessions are granted, let the fees be lower than that of foreigners and much higher to foreign investors”

“They are coming over to take our land for less than USD4000. A billionaire can pay for that and  its nothing to them but he will get millions of profits from the land’’ said Moyo.

Moyo also said that the government was not supposed to remove the economic and indigenous act completely which in a way has been safeguarding the economic freedom of Zimbabweans in their land. According to Moyo, if 51 percent local ownership was not favourable, they should have reduced it to at least 25 percent to make sure that locals will still benefit.

“we are losing the benefits of the war, foreigners are owning 100 percent in our mines” he said.

Through the Economic and Indigenous act, Zimbabweans were entitled to 51 percent of every mining concession granted in Zimbabwe which meant that no foreign firm was allowed to own more than 49 percent of the land .However, the act was blasted for not being friendly in attracting Foreign Direct Investment which prompted the current president Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa to scrap it off completely in order to attract foreign investment through his slogan, “Zimbabwe is open for business.”

GZU invaded by illegal gold miners

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GZU invaded by illegal gold miners

Great Zimbabwe University’s Mashava campus has been invaded by illegal miners who are alleged to be patrolling at night with machetes , also alleged to be panning gold at the campus’ residential areas.

Rudairo  Mapuranga

According to a statement released by the University Student representative (Minister of Information) Forward Chaibva, the campus has been invaded by the notoriously dangerous mashurugwi,  armed to mine the expensive commodity during the night .

“We are facing a problem, an area near Q and P complex has been invaded by gold panners (makorokoza) who are extremely dangerous” reads the statement in part.

The Student’s Information Minister urged the students to avoid working during the night because this rowdy gang is operating and loitering in the dark seriously armed.

“These people are extremely dangerous and they are massively working by night, therefore their movement within our residential complexes is rampant” reads Chaibva’s statement.

Chaibva has warned the students that although the University’s security is safeguarding the place, they should be cautious, they should avoiding moving at night, locking all doors and they should not open their doors to strangers.

” Our security is safeguarding the place but you also have to be cautious hence make sure (1)avoid moving at night alone (2)avoid leaving clothes outside

(3)lock all main doors and keep all valuables safe (4)do not open doors to strangers at night” said Chaibva.

Great Zimbabwe University Mashava campus executive has confirmed to Mining Zimbabwe that the school has been invaded by illegal miners who are mining during the night.

” its true there are miners who are digging at the Q and P complexes and they’re constantly roaming around .I urge the students to be very careful because these people are dangerously armed”

The rate of forceful invasions by illegal miners is increasing in Zimbabwe and this has led people to think that the police forces are captured or they are actually running a cartel thereby protecting these miners from the wrath of the law.

Machete miners forced party lovers to go ‘homosexual’

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Machete miners forced party lovers to go ‘homosexual’

Last week, the machete wielding miners popularly known as Mashurugwi forced some men who were drinking at a local bar in Rimuka Kadoma to hug and kiss each other passionately because they were partying with no woman gracing the occasion.

Rudairo Mapuranga

According to Zimbabwe Miners Federation Youth in Mining Chairperson Mr Timothy Chizuzu, the notorious gang allegedly said that the men who were drinking and partying without a single woman where gay and therefore were supposed to kiss each other passionately.

The gang who were armed with cutlasses and machetes commonly referred to as mabhemba pounded in the bar which was filled with only male party lovers, commanded everyone to sit and then closed all the exit spaces.

According to an eye witness, the Mashurugwi ordered those that had money to pay for their release and those without money remained hostages. The individuals who were remained in  the bar were ordered to kiss each other passionately after about 15 minutes of male kissing and cuddling, the group disappeared from the scene.

Machete gangs have been so rampant in Zimbabwe with the Central Intelligence Agents reportedly concerned with the way in which the police are handling the whole issue, fearing that a terror group might be created.

ASM account for 60pc gold deliveries to Fidelity first half 2019

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ASM account for 60pc gold deliveries to Fidelity first half 2019

Artisanal and Small scale miners (ASM) continue to dominate the gold delivery process to the country’s sole gold buyer and exporter, Fidelity Printers and Refineries (FPR) despite a record decline in gold delivered to the gold buying utility.

Rudairo Dickson Mapuranga

According to the 2019 first half  Monetary statement released on Friday by the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Dr John Mangudya, small scale miners have delivered more than 60 percent of the total gold delivered to the country’s sole gold buyer.

The statement acknowledged the fact that small scale gold producers are facing a lot of challenges, nevertheless, they have left an indelible mark in the mining sector despite the fact.

“It is, however, pleasing to note that small scale producers despite facing a plethora of challenges, continued to dominate the gold deliveries, accounting for more than 60 percent of total deliveries” reads the statement in part.

According to the statement, small scale miners dominated gold deliveries to Fidelity from January to May, however, in June gold delivery by the small scale sector was lower than that of large producers, producing only 687.4 against 814.5 produced by the country’s primary producers.

The government of Zimbabwe has set a target of 40 tonnes gold delivery to Fidelity, however, the target seems surrealistic with the country only recording 12.3 tonnes in the first half of the year compared to 17.3 in the same period last year.

According to the statement, there was a 40 percent decline in the mid-year’s deliveries compared to the same period last year which was caused by an unfavourable exchange rate, pricing and payment issues.

“Gold deliveries to Fidelity Printers and Refineries stood at 12.3 tonnes for the period January to June 2019. This was a 40.6 percent decline compared to 17.3 tonnes delivered during the comparable period in 2018. Exchange rate, pricing and payment issues which partly accounted for the decline in deliveries have however been largely resolved through the recent monetary policy measures” reads the report.

The recorded gold delivery to Fidelity last year was 33.2 tonnes in total since 1999 thus, targeting 40 tonnes this year seems to be a huge task.

The decline in gold deliveries during the first half of the year was caused by many reasons, among them: unstable power supply, abrupt changes in policies and fuel crisis which is strongly hitting the country right now.

Mining indaba set for Bulawayo

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Mining indaba set for Bulawayo

BULAWAYO will this week host the 8th edition of the 2019 Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba where stakeholders will discuss a range of issues affecting the mining sector in the country.

The event will be held at a local hotel between Wednesday and Friday, under the theme: “Sustainability for all: Building a legacy of citizen action for equitable and just natural resource governance in Zimbabwe”.

The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA will host the high-level annual gathering that is expected to bring together communities affected by mining activities, civil society groups, small scale miners, academia, traditional leaders, Government agencies and the media.

“The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) and African Forum and Network on Debt and Development are seeking expressions of interest to exhibit during the 8th edition of the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba 2019,” organisers said in a statement.

The event would be focused on mineral resource governance with bias on views of communities affected by mining activities and activities of other organisations. 

The platform also creates opportunities for citizens to hold mining entities to account in terms of how their finite mineral wealth is being managed for the benefit of all Zimbabweans_The Chronicle

Its Official: ZESA to supply electricity ONLY at night

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Its Official: ZESA to supply electricity ONLY at night

Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) has announced that it will only be able to supply enough power to most of its customers during the night due to the current economic deterioration the country has been experiencing.

Rudairo Mapuranga

According to the Zimbabwe national power utility spokesman, Fullard Gwasira, the electricity challenges have accelerated to another level and therefore the public is urged to use electricity sparingly.

Gwasira added on saying that the power company will only be able to supply electricity to most of its customers during the night.

“The electricity supply situation is quite dire. Please use the available power very sparingly. We are able to supply most of our customers with power mostly during the night.” Said Gwasira through his official Twitter handle.

Gwasira said that although the country is exporting electricity from South Africa, the gap which was caused by Kariba water levels is getting bigger and some machines in other power stations like Hwange and Munyati are superseded.

“We are still importing, but the gap brought about by Kariba water levels is getting bigger and our machines are failing frequently due to age,” said Gwasira

Zimbabwe power utility spokesperson also said that the prevailing power cuts the country is facing come as a result of excessive power demands hence, electricity will only be supplied during the night because the rate of power demands will be low during the night than in daytimes.

“Power availability is a function of demand and supply. When demand is higher than supply, then some load will have to be curtailed. Supply is normally higher in the evenings” said Gwasira.

According to Gwasira, if rain pattern becomes friendly load shedding will be reduced in March because Kariba will be able to generate enough power.

“If we get a good rainfall season, the impact of that will be felt around March/April 2020,” he said.

The electricity problems in Zimbabwe seem to be taking ages to stabilise and people are now of the view that the normal supply will not be met anytime soon.

ZELA awareness campaigns to artisanal and small-scale mining

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ZELA awareness campaigns to artisanal and small-scale mining

Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) is playing a pivotal role to ensure that communities benefit from resources in their localities as stipulated in the Constitution, Section 13 (4) on National Development, as such ZELA seeks to influence an enabling policy and legal environment to foster responsible and sustainable growth of Artisanal and small scale mining (ASM).

By Mirirai Ngoya

One pathway to achieve this is through conducting mobile legal clinics to enhance grassroots participation in legal and policy reforms to deliver ease of doing business for artisanal and small scale miners (ASMers).

Further, the legal clinics leverage on experienced legal practitioners to share lived realities on legal bottlenecks hampering responsible and sustainable growth of ASM, for example, during the recently conducted mobile legal clinic training in Zvishavane.

Mining is the leading foreign currency generator and ASM, especially in the gold sector, are significant contributors – last year, 2018 producing 22.7 tonnes of gold totalling close to a billion dollars to that end.

ZELA is working in conjunction with other organisations that focuses on artisanal and small scale mining like the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) in making sure that artisanal and small scale miners are well represented and that they gain from community minerals.

ZELA’s assistant Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Officer, Mr Joshua Machinga had this to say, “ZELA has put a lot of efforts to amplify the voices of ASM associations on ease of doing business reforms at a national level.

As a result, “the miners now have a simplified environmental management plan that miners must complete for responsible and safe mining practices” he added.

“We have done several types of research and in these, several recommendations have been noted including the need to conduct mobile legal clinics, a way to go for artisanal and small-scale miners to interface with policymakers and their fellow miners (large scale miners) on ensuring and improving responsible mining operations.”

Mobile legal clinics are platforms of interface among stakeholders in the mining sector and the artisanal and small-scale miners to deliberate and proffer ideas on how to ensure responsible and environmentally friendly mining. These mobile legal clinics are meant to unpack some of the operational issues, among them the cumbersomeness of acquiring registration licenses and permits, safety, health, environment and the need for responsible mining activities by artisanal and small-scale miners, he explained.

Through these awareness initiatives that facilitate knowledge exchange and engagement platforms that bring together players in the mining sector value chain to connect, engage and create workable relationships with artisanal and small-scale miners.  These are meant to increase compliance among artisanal and small-scale miners

ZELA is taking strides to make sure that environmental protection is also enhanced by conducting seminars with miners teaching them good measures to be implemented when mining.

“We are doing all this for miners in a way to bring compliance among artisanal and small-scale miners in order to obtain manageable operations and safe mining”, he further alludes.

It is worthwhile to note that at the district level, ZELA helped ASM associations of Bubi, Gwanda, and Zvishavane-Mberengwa to compile their key tasks on ease of doing business reforms. At the provincial level, a similar process was undertaken for Matabeleland North and South Provinces”, (#ASMinMatNorth; #ASMinMatSouth).

“The artisanal and small-scale miners also engage the large mines through engagement meetings facilitated by the organization. ”As such, they must also enjoy the benefits which other mines in Zimbabwe are enjoying.

Small Scale Miners opting for Solar power

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Small Scale Miners opting for Solar power

Small Scale Miners in the Great Dyke are working on plans to adopt solar energy as a substitute for electricity which is currently in short supply in the country.

Mirirai Melissa Ngoya

Excessive power blackouts within the country have been leading to detonation of mining activities for the small scale miners. Fuel prices have also been continuing to hike living their operations at risk. Nonetheless, this time they have resorted to adopting farm solar energy.

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Miners Federation spokesperson Dosman Mangisi said that plans are already in motion to adopt solar energy system which they perceive as a good initiative considering that fuel prices are continuing to hike for them to opt for generators as a power supply source.

He said “Statistics show that Zimbabwe enjoys more than 3 000 hours of sunlight a year and has a potential to produce 10 000GWh of electrical energy per year if solar energy is fully harnessed. The Government removed duty on solar equipment in July to reduce dependence on power on the national grid as individuals and companies would have alternatives.”

Due to electricity power supply shortages which have hit Zimbabwe, Mr Mangisi added on to say” The solar project is noble plan looking forward to pushing up our production as small scale miners. ” Moreover, he said that they are looking forward to having such projects in conjunction with big mines.

As highlighted by Honorable Minister fortune Chasi that miners can have their own solar farms, the small scale miners must take this initiative to come up with their own power supply source.

Mr Mangisi also said “the government has given a green light in exempting the energy projects for the benefit of the mining sector. ”

Considering the current merciless power cuts the country is facing, this can be seen as a brilliant move to increase production in the mining sector.

Gvt to install solar systems at all airports

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Gvt to install solar systems at all airports

The Zimbabwean government has shifted its attention from thermal and hydropower to Solar power supply. The nation has been experiencing massive electricity power cuts, hence solar energy seems to be the only alternative to settle the prevailing electricity challenges.

Rudairo Mapuranga

The Minister of Energy, Hon Fortune Chasi has said that his government is making efforts to install solar systems in all airports in order to do away with electricity problems that the country is currently facing.

“Efforts are afoot to place all airports on solar… No stopping now” said Chasi through is official twitter handle.

Chasi also said that the government is working on solarizing all hospitals in a bid to reduce human error and death rates in the country.

On Monday Chasi announced that the government was working on powering all service stations with solar in order to introduce electric cars in the country.

Zimbabwe has been experiencing exorbitant power cuts since the beginning of this year due to many reasons, among them the fact that Zimbabwe was no longer getting power from South Africa power utility Eskom.

Chrome investors offering subtle deals

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Chrome investors offering subtle deals

Sharai Makota who is a chrome claim holder in Darwandale expressed distress that her claim is now a curse in disguise following the devastating condition she lives in. She told Mining Zimbabwe that, she anticipated quite a number of investors to advance in her project since she was of the view that when one ventures into mining and holds a claim, investors will flow in and begin to invest in the project , nonetheless this has not been palpable in Makota’s mining journey.

Mirirai Melissa Ngoya

Miss Makota is all set to begin chrome mining operations after holding her claim for quite a while. She told Mining Zimbabwe that there seems to be hope that the work will soon commence after considering the deals she has to sign with the foreign investors.

However, investors to partner with Miss Makota have been obstacles in her mining journey, she highlighted that she recently met egotistic investors who are looking forward to profiting at the expense of the whole nation.

“Recently I have come across three different investors but their deals are to profit themselves at the expense of me and the Zimbabwean nation.”

Miss Makota revealed to Mining Zimbabwe that the first group of people who have sought partnership with her are a Chinese group and they have pledged to pay her seven dollars per chrome tone which she contested that it is not provident for her considering the whole efforts she has been putting for her to get the claim.

“The second one is offering a deal where I get 30 % of the produce whilst they take away 70 % from me, this I can for sure tell that it might help me to sustain my family, and the group is comprised of black Americans and they have said that they will supply all the machinery required what they just need is 30% of what I have produced.”

“I am hoping to finalise the deal with this American team since they have highlighted that the deal is open for me hence this means  that I will maintain the machinery and offer labour services.”

“When I ventured into this sector I did not know that investors are tricky if they happen to come your way, their deals are sometimes there to exploit you.”

Secured investment opportunities are inaccessible for Miss Makota to start operations as the investors who are coming her way are offering subtle deals hence she is afraid to approve lest she loses everything.

 

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