Mines bill public hearings: Parly in Esigodini today
The Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development will today (Wednesday 8 February 2023) conduct public hearings on the proposed Mines and Minerals Bill in Esigodini Matabeleland South.
The hearings will be held at Esikhoveni Training Centre in the small town.
According to the chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee, Hon Edmond Mkaratigwa, the bill seeks to repeal the existing parent Mining Law adapting to over a decade of new national and international developments and challenges affecting the mining sector and its linkages throughout the value chain.
He said critical issues already provided in the bill revolve around:
- Recognition of the Artisanal and Small-scale miners.
- Farmer Miner disputes
- Environmental, health and Safety issues
- Recognition of Provincial Mining Directors
- Devolution of the Mining sector administration royalty
- Equity and equity of Mining fees across provinces and local authorities.
- CSR and the need for social and environmental protection
- Installation and operationalization of Computerised Cadastre system among others.
All stakeholders are invited and accordingly, any views expressed when the hearings are in session have the protection of Parliament.
The committee is currently on a two-week country-wide tour to get public input on the proposed minerals act.
On the 9th of March 2023, the consultations will commence at Edmunds Davis Hall in Hwange from 12:00hrs – 14:00hrs and Kamativi on the 10th of March 2023. On the 11th of March 2023, the consultations will be held at Gweru theatre from 10:00hrs – 12:00hrs and will conclude at Rimuka Town Hall on the same day from 14:00hrs.
The public consultations have attracted stakeholders not only from the Mining industry but farming since the two sectors are intertwined.