Parliament is pushing for the finalisation of the Mines and Minerals Act amendment, which it acknowledges has been long overdue.
Prince Sunduzani
The government of Zimbabwe has made various attempts to amend the mining regulatory regime targeting the Mines and Mineral Act, these efforts have not led to a final product being gazetted. The bill was meant to be finalised by 2019 but three years on its still in process.
Currently, Zimbabwe is operating using The Mines and Minerals Act of 1961, an outdated legislation with unlimited challenges which have been affecting the ability of the nation to realize maximum mineral resource beneficiation, especially for the locals who are operating as artisanal and small-scale miners.
The Parliamentary Portfolio on Mines and Mining Development chairperson, Hon Edmond Mkaratigwa said they have conducted all necessary procedures and they are waiting for the bill from the executive so that it can be sent back to parliament for the public scrutiny.
This comes after President Emmerson Mnangagwa last month cracked the whip on the Ministry of Mines and Parliament, regarding the snail’s pace on the finalisation of the Mines and Minerals Act amendment.
“So far we have a workshop scheduled and we will have the Ministry leadership there, to update us on progress. Parliament is awaiting the Bill from the Executive, we have done what was needful in terms of our input and now the Bill has to be sent back to Parliament for scrutiny by citizens.
“The Bill has already phone beyond our expectation in terms of timelines. It was supposed to be ready in 2019 Covid-19 aside. The main challenge has been delayed in conveyance of the Bill to Parliament but that His Excellency, The President of the Republic Cde E. D. Mnangagwa has repeatedly requested urgency with regards to the finalisation of this matter, we expect haste at all levels of government,” Mkaratigwa said.
Last Month, the committee said it was optimistic that crucial processes leading to the approval of the new Mines and Minerals bill by the President will kick start in June.
He said parliament was working tirelessly to push for the completion and has exhausted different avenues to get things done.
“Parliament has been innovative and we continue to be innovative, to ensure oil for a more efficient state, Zimbabwe needs this law finalized. Parliament has used both confrontation, persuasion and other formal communication channels. Data has been presented in Parliament to substantiate the need for the Bill, based on consensus across the concerned citizenry and international potentials.”
According to local civil society organisation ZELA, the Mines and Mineral Amendment Bill seems to have lost its momentum after years of constantly amending and strengthening it to resolve predominant challenges within the mining value chain.
Since 2012 when the Mines and Minerals Act amendment started, the government have preferred to address some of the highlighted mining challenges using alternative means such as through policies and statutory instruments rather than endorsing the proposed Bill into effect.
Finalisation and ensuring that the citizens ‘aspirations are incorporated in the Mines and Mineral Amendment Bill will assist in defining shared values and national vision for the mining sector, the organisation noted.
