adminHarare Bureau
Anjin Investments, a joint venture between the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and Chinese investors, is stalling consolidation of operations at the Chiadzwa diamond fields as its Beijing-based chairman is yet to come to facilitate the process.The chairman, Jiang Qinde, was expected to visit Zimbabwe early last month to discuss the issues relating to the consolidation of mining operations in Chiadzwa, but he did not come.
Jiang has since suspended the visit indefinitely.
This comes at a time government is insisting that all mining companies in Chiadzwa should honour their pledges to the Marange-Zimunya Community Share Ownership Trust despite indications that only one or two companies would continue operating there.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa, said on Monday that Jiang informed them that he had a busy schedule and could not make it to Zimbabwe.
“We have not yet consolidated operations in Chiadzwa,” he said. “The Anjin Investments chairman is yet to come. He informed us that his programme is tight so we are still waiting.”
Minister Chidhakwa said the Anjin Investments chairman did not indicate when he would visit Zimbabwe.
In April this year, government informed diamond companies in Marange that only one or two of them would be left to mine after they failed to properly account for revenue realised from their operations.
The remaining firms would operate as joint ventures with government as it moves to improve accountability and increase revenue to Treasury.
The firms have also not been forthcoming with regards to honouring their obligations to the Marange-Zimunya Community Share Ownership Trust.
There are seven diamond miners in Chiadzwa: Anjin Investments, Diamond Mining Company, Gye Nyame, Jinan, Kusena, Marange Resources and Mbada Diamonds.
On the Marange-Zimunya Community Share Ownership Trust, Minister Chidhakwa said the concerned companies should fulfil their pledges.
“We have not yet consolidated operations in Chiadzwa so the companies should pay what they owe to the Trust,” he said. “There is no reason for them to wait for the consolidation.”
The diamond mining companies pledged $50 million to the Marange- Zimunya Community Share Ownership Trust.
It is understood that to date only about $400,000 has been paid to the Trust.
However, the diamond mining companies in Chiadzwa recently distanced themselves from the $50 million pledge.
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