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Miners owe gvt US$206m

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Miners owe gvt US$206m

THE Government of Zimbabwe is owed a cumulative US$206m in unpaid mining taxes and has since declared that it will soon be forfeiting claims held for speculative purposes.

According to Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura, Government will this month deliberate on objections made regarding the Exclusive Prospecting Orders (EPOs).

Speaking in Chinhoyi recently, Deputy Minister Kambamura said the accumulative debt was as a result of bad attitude from mining companies reluctant to support Government.

“The US$206 million owed is a cumulative figure compromising of unpaid ground rentals, unpaid special grants and some are continuing to mine without paying those fees.

“We are contemplating forfeiting claims on such grounds of non-payment because people are only complaining that things are tough, but on inspection it’s only a paltry US$100 per year with a mining resource, yet a gramme [of gold] is being purchased at fairly reasonable price,” he said.

Deputy Minister Kambamura said Government would first give debtors notices before forfeiting the claims.

“We are going to forfeit on those grounds just to try and recover the money owed but will give people notices first to come forward and pay on an agreed date.

“Failure to pay then, we will forfeit and follow legal channels to recover those monies because of late even if a person owed $20 000, Government would just forfeit without making a following up. This time we forfeit and follow up the legal way,” he said.

On Government’s position regarding EPO’s, Deputy Minister Kambamura said the issue will be tabled before the mining board this month.

“We have vast pieces of land throughout the provinces set aside for exploration, as the procedure is a lot of those EPOs were objected. The mining affairs board will be seating this month to consider all those objections and everyone who objected will be called to come forward and explain reasons for objections.

“Thereafter the body will make a decision whether to issue such EPOs or not. Of late there have been some EPOs that were applied time back and since then the owners of such did not come forward with any exploration results or reports. 

“All such cases are going to be considered under the ‘use it or lose it’ principle going to be announced by Mines and Mining Development Minister this month,” he said.

Deputy Minister Kambamura also castigated some mining firms that were smuggling minerals outside the country in the disguise of reprocessing them.

President Mnangagwa has declared mining will play a major role in helping Zimbabwe achieve Middle-Income status by 2030 but areas of smuggling, under invoicing exports and corruption need to be addressed immediately.

Chronicle

Zimbabwe Platinum output declines

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Zimbabwe Platinum output declines

Zimbabwe’s first quarter platinum output declined marginally from 120 000 ounces in the previous quarter to 110 000 ounces, according to the latest World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) Platinum Quarterly.

The numbers show that Zimbabwe was the only country to record a decline in the period under review.

Zimbabwe, home to the world’s second largest known deposits of platinum after South Africa, has three producing mines namely Zimplats, Mimosa and Unki, which are all head-quartered in South Africa.

Other top countries that produce platinum include South Africa, North America, and Russia.

Unki Mine completes smelting plant, ED to commission tomorrow

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Unki Mine completes smelting plant, ED to commission tomorrow

Giant Platinum miner, Unki’s $62 million platinum smelting plant is now complete and will be commissioned by President of Zimbabwe tomorrow.

Construction of the processing plant commenced in 2016 as the company heeded Government’s call for value addition and beneficiation of the country’s natural resources.

Unki Mine General Manager Mr Walter Nemasasi confirmed the commissioning of the processing plant but could not be drawn to give details saying they were busy preparing for the event.

“Yes it is true that our $62 million smelting plant will be commissioned on Thursday by the President and we have already sent invitations to the media for the coverage of the event. 

“However, I am not able to give you further details regarding the commissioning of the smelter as we are busy preparing for the event,” he said in a telephone interview yesterday. 

The smelting plant, which will consume more than 11 megawatts, would see Unki processing about 623 000 tonnes of platinum concentrate annually. 

Following Government’s call for platinum producers to promote beneficiation,  platinum miners, Unki, Mimosa Mining Company in Zvishavane and Zimplats in Mhondoro-Ngezi agreed to set up platinum refineries at their respective mining sites while at the same time pooling resources together to construct a bigger processing plant at Zimplats.

The agreement to construct the bigger plant expected to cost about $300 million, was signed between Government and the three platinum mining companies in May 2017.

Commissioning of the Unki platinum smelter is expected to go a long way in transforming the Zimbabwe mining industry in line with the Transitional Stabilisation Programme, which compels companies to beneficiate their minerals through investing in ore processing plants.

Site refinery plants for Zimplats and Mimosa are at different stages of construction.

Platinum processing although requiring a lot of resources and capital, will enable Zimbabwe to realise more from its platinum resources.

The Chronicle

 

ZCDC Directors arrested

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ZCDC Directors arrested

ZCDC CEO Morris Bekezela Mpofu was yesterday picked up for questioning by the police, while finance director Charles Gambe was arrested for criminal abuse of office after he allegedly bought 1 200 bags of cement at Lafarge Cement for personal use using employer’s account.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Themba Nyathi confirmed the arrests, saying Mpofu was picked up for questioning without giving further details, but said Gambe is likely to appear in court today.

“Yes, we have picked ZCDC finance director Charles Gambe and charged him with criminal abuse of office allegations,” Nyathi said.

“Gambe’s allegations are that he bought 1 200 bags of cement for personal use at Lafarge Cement Company using the ZCDC account and is likely to appear in court tomorrow (today).”

He said the police had also picked Mpofu for interviews, but could not divulge the nature of the interview. Byo24

Gvt considering aluminum transformers to reduce theft

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Gvt considering aluminum transformers to reduce theft

More than 3000 electricity transformers are needed to replace stolen or absolete one, however, Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) faces hurdles of getting foreign currency to procure them, Energy and Power Development deputy minister Magna Mudyiwa has said.

The current transformers are made of copper materials.

Umzingwane MP Levi Mayihlome (Zanu PF) had asked her to explain why Zent only allocated seven transformers for a whole month for the Western region when more were needed.

“I would like to inform the House that the output from Zent has been generally low such that all regions have got a huge backlog of transformers,” responded said.

“ZETDC requires in excess of 3 000 distribution transformers countrywide. The procurement process was completed more than two years ago, but the suppliers could not source the required foreign currency to import the transformers. The same applies to Zent, which is also awaiting delivery of kits for manufacture of new transformers. The few that are being released are repaired transformers.”

Mayihlome demanded an explanation from the deputy minister on why her ministry was taking too long to localise production or development of transformers.

Mudyiwa said Zent was looking for modalities to produce transformers made from aluminium, instead of copper, to reduce vandalism.

Chegutu West MP Dextor Nduna (Zanu PF) said the best way to curb stealing of copper wire was to have government revoke copper licences because Mhangura Copper Mine was comatose yet the country has several companies with licences.

Mudyiwa said government was in the process of amending the Electricity Act to take into consideration the theft of copper, adding that very soon, the amendments would be brought to Parliament.

Recently, Energy ministry secretary Partson Mbiriri said Zesa Holdings was losing three transformers per night.

Mbizo MP Settlement Chikwinya (MDC Alliance) accused ministers of using the issue of foreign currency as a scapegoat to mask lack of implementation of projects. He said it was the role of the minister to ask for the foreign currency for the purchase of the transformers.

But Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said western-imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe had created a toxic macro-economic environment and urged all MPs to speak with one voice calling for their removal._NewsDay

Matshela eyes Gwanda solar project

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Matshela eyes Gwanda solar project

THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) has received an application from Matshela Energy Private Limited, which seeks to establish a 100-megawatt solar plant in Gwanda, Matabeleland South province.

Matshela is a Zimbabwean-wholly owned company focused on investment and trading on renewable energy. ZERA said Matshela Energy was keen to construct a new solar plant at a farm in Gwanda with the intention of selling the power generated to Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).

“Notice is hereby issued in terms of section 4 (3) of the Electricity (Licensing) Regulations, 2008 published in Statutory Instrument 103 of 2008 that ZERA has received an application from Matshela Energy (Private) Limited to construct, own, operate and maintain a 100MW solar plant at Timber Farm, Gwanda in Matabeleland South,” said ZERA in a public notice. 

“The applicant intends selling the power generated to ZETDC. The project will also include the construction of approximately 10 kilometres of 132kV Single Lynx line from the proposed solar plant to the existing Gwanda 132Kv substation.”

The regulatory authority called on individuals or organisations that have interest in the project to present their objections in written form before 30 May 2019. 

There is growing interest for renewable energy investments in Zimbabwe in response to global climate change.

The country is targeting generating 1 000MW clean energy by 2025 with Government working on cutting 33 percent carbon emissions by the year 2030. The country is also expanding its efforts to invest in renewable energy as a means to meet electricity demand averaging 1 400MW a day. Guarantee Risk Solar Energy has already embarked on a partnership with a South African based company Bushveld Energy for the establishment of three solar photovoltaic plants with an output of 250MW._ The Chronicle

Gvt in bid to eliminate illegal gold deals

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Gvt in bid to eliminate illegal gold deals

THE Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is conducting gold mobilisation workshops across the country in a bid to encourage formal mineral deliveries and eliminate illegal deals.

The ministry’s director for value addition and beneficiation, Dr Mercy Manyuchi, said the workshops were going to be held in provinces to encourage miners to sell their gold to Fidelity Printers and Refiners, the sole buyer of gold in the country. So far the workshops have been conducted in Mashonaland Central province.

“The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is conducting gold mobilisation workshops across the country in conjunction with various stakeholders from the gold mobilisation task force teams. 

“These workshops are meant to boost gold deliveries to the legal market by encouraging miners to sell their gold to Fidelity Printers and Refiners, which is the sole buyer of gold in Zimbabwe,” she said.

“The gold mobilisations teams were deployed on 28 April and the provinces that are still to be covered are Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West, Midlands, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Manicaland.

“The workshop was successfully conducted in Mashonaland Central. The next province will be Mashonaland West on May 13, followed by Midlands on May 14 and then Matabeleland North Province on May 15. The dates for the remaining provinces are yet to be advised.”

Dr Manyuchi said during the workshops miners will be encouraged to abide by the environmental regulations, conduct proper mining practices and keep records. The workshops will also be used to educate miners on mining policies._The Chronicle

Three miners died in separate incidents

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Three miners died in separate incidents

THREE miners died in two separate mine accidents which occurred in Maphisa and Colleen Bawn, Matabeleland South province.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Chief Inspector Philisani Ndebele confirmed the incidents which occurred at Antelope East Extension Mine, Maphisa and Dip 7 Stream Mine in Colleen Bawn on Tuesday and Wednesday.

He said in the first incident Jabulani Moyo (30) fell into a 30 metre deep shaft after a rope he was using snapped. Chief Insp Ndebele said in the other incident Pios Sibanda and Chris Dube both aged 25 were working in a five metre deep shaft when it collapsed.

“I can confirm that we recorded two mining accidents in Matabeleland South province which resulted in the death of three miners. In the first incident Jabulani Moyo of Mloyi Village in Kezi was working at Antelope East Extension Mine with  other miners. They lowered him down the shaft in a bucket which was tied to a rope.

“After Moyo was done in the shaft he signalled his workmates to pull him up. While he was on his way up, the rope snapped and Moyo fell down the shaft. He sustained serious injuries as a result of the accident and was ferried to Maphisa District Hospital where he was further referred to Mpilo Central Hospital where he died the following day,’’ he said.

Chief Insp Ndebele said Pios Sibanda and Chris Dube were illegally panning at Dip 7 Stream Mine in the middle of the night on Wednesday when the shaft collapsed on them.

He said Sibanda and Dube sustained severe injuries and died on the spot. He said on the following day Sibanda’s sister became worried after realising that her brother had not returned home the previous night. Chief Insp Ndebele said she went to check at the mine and found some clothes which belonged to her brother outside the shaft.

He said the matter was reported to the police who attended the scene leading to the recovery of the two bodies.

Five artisanal miners died at Nugget Gold Mine in Matobo after a tunnel collapsed following a gold rush on Monday last week. About 1 000 fortune seekers swarmed the area after news spread that rich gold deposits had been found at the abandoned mine._The Chronicle

Chrome miners lament over lack of solid government policy

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Chrome miners lament over lack of solid government policy

Zimbabwe Chrome Producers laments over government’s failure to implement a solid policy on chrome buying and pricing which has enabled cartels to flourish, the organization which advocates for an open market system which promotes international pricing along with policies which promotes business integrity, quality control, as well as business growth for indigenous value addition laments over the current scenario where value addition is performed by foreign owned or controlled companies.

Rudairo Mapuranga

 

According to Masango Mahlahla one of the founding members of the Zimbabwe Chrome Producers, one of the major challenges faced by small scale indigenous chrome industry is the lack of a solid policy which helps to facilitate industry growth.  As a result growth within the sector is taking place at the long term detriment of the indigenous small scale miners as both domestic and export sales take place in a market which lacks transparency (no published pricing model) and has no analytical oversight with enforcement powers to help identify and address predatory buying.

 

Mahlahla further went on to say that, predatory buying on the domestic market is of major concern as buying prices are as low as $12 USD per tonne is prevalent as chrome buying cartels have been formed to suppress the domestic sales prices while preventing new buyers from entering the chrome market.

The transportation industry according to Mahlahla is also impacted as chrome buying cartels threaten to cancel contracts of local transporters who offer their services to competitor buyers attempting to enter both the domestic and export market.

 

According to the organization, the Export market is negatively impacted by the weak mineral policies on chrome.  Chrome buying cartels are systematically increasing logistics costs as few transportation companies are available to support the industry.  This is done to systematically block new buyers from entering Zimbabwe’s chrome market ensuring that the cartels continue to dominate the market.  This therefore bleeds the market dry of foreign currency earnings as most foreign currency remains in foreign hands.

Another critical negative impact of the low buying prices according to the organization is that it leaves small scale miners undercapitalized and unable to efficiently increase production.  Noticeably absent from the mineral market is the aspect of mineral financing via banking as well as the insurance services designed to cover mineral transactions.  Internationally both are key to facilitate trade in both domestic and export markets.

 

Zimbabwe Chrome Producers also laments over foreign currency allocation to chrome producers in Zimbabwe which they say is not viable for business.

“Foreign currency availability for equipment purchases and maintenance upkeep on equipment is also of key concern.  The current RBZ allocation of forex disempowers our indigenous miners as miners require foreign currency to reinvestment back into their operations, Chrome mining is a capital intensive industry where a single piece of equipment can cost over one hundred thousand United States Dollars” said Mahlahla.

 

In response to the Ministry of Mines industry’s policy requirements, the organization drafted a chrome Producers Policy which was presented to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development for review on March 5th 2019.  The organization is waiting for follow up meetings with the Ministry to further discuss implementation.  It is the organization’s expectation that by implementing the proposed policy, Chrome Producers will experience sustainable growth which will enable our indigenous Chrome Producers to enter the value addition industry.

“We believe the policy will also address both the future domestic consumption needs while rapidly increasing production to support increased exports to help generate the much needed foreign currency required to grow both the mining industries as well as our nation’s economy as a whole” said Mahlahla.

MMCZ in chrome investment pitch

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MMCZ in chrome investment pitch

THE Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) has assured international stakeholders that demand for chrome ore, ferrochrome and other chrome related products remains very high, thus investing in the sector remains lucrative.

Presenting at the just- ended 35th International Chrome Development Association (ICDA) conference held in Victoria Falls last week, MMCZ general manager Mr Tongai Muzenda told prospective chrome investors at the oversubscribed conference that investing locally was compelling as demand is high.

Mr Muzenda said while prices have taken somewhat of a knock this quarter, pointers on the market are that they will firm in the next quarter, and in future.

MMCZ was established through an Act of Parliament, MMCZ Act Chapter 21:04, and is the exclusive agent for marketing and selling of all minerals produced in Zimbabwe, except silver and gold.

Zimbabwe holds the world’s second largest chrome ore resource of 900 million tonnes, which translate to approximately 12 percent of global reserves, with South Africa leading the pack on the world’s total reserve that are estimated at 7, 5 billion tonnes.

But based on 2018 statistics, Zimbabwe produced just about 1,4 million tonnes of ore, which signify 4 percent of global output largely due to underutilisation of chrome rich deposits.

Zimbabwe, thus, took advantage of the just-ended ICDA to make an investment pitch in the chrome sector and its subsector.

“Demand for now is actually very good, while prices may have come off a little bit in this quarter, we foresee prices going up in the next quarter and in the future, and the demand for chrome will remain,” Mr Muzenda told over 200 international delegates attending the 35th ICDA.

“. . . because we know there is no other way of making stainless steel without chrome unless there is some new technology and substitution doesn’t seem to be anywhere nearby.

“Prices obviously are dependent mostly on the demand side of things, supply is not (a problem) much because we have all the chrome which may be required in the world. While the supply side of chrome owe is in abundance . . . the demand side needs to be stable,” said Mr Muzenda.

“When we have stability in the demand of chrome ore, ferrochrome and other chrome-related products, it helps on planning and also helps on proper investment planning.

“Also stability of the market in terms of prices is a big factor which helps in planning of what we need to produce in the future,” he said.

Mr Muzenda also noted that technology and skills have been developing rapidly in the sector and Zimbabwe stands to benefit substantially if it taps into the new trends.

New furnaces, bulky handling, among other interventions, are coming on board and efforts are being made to make sure that these also come to Zimbabwe, with Zimasco and Afrochine already taking the lead.

The MMCZ boss also called on investors to tap into the chrome exploration sub-sector as only about 5 percent of the country’s chrome reserves have been extensively explored._The Sunday Mail

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