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Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Mutare Bureau
PLAYERS in the gold industry in the Odzi area have called for the recognition of gold panners as major stakeholders who should also enjoy the same rights as big miners. Speaking at a stakeholder consultative meeting for the amendment of the Gold Trade and Precious Stones Trade Acts organised by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development in Odzi yesterday, Zimbabwe National War Veterans’ Association chairman, Cde Robert Gumbo, said gold was leaking to private buyers because the law was tough on gold panners who make up the majority of gold miners in the area.
“Panners are not protected by law, so it will be difficult for them to abide by it. They should get that protection so that they can feel free to take their gold to Fidelity Printers,” he said.
Government is holding consultative meetings in preparation for the amendment of the Gold Trade Act and the Precious Stones Act in a bid to synchronise the two colonial acts with the amended Mines and Minerals Act, as well as plug revenue leakages.
Director of legal services in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Mrs Jacqueline Munyonga, said they had realised that small-scale miners had been contributing significantly to the economy, hence the need to include them and their welfare in the amended Gold Trade Act.
“Currently, the law forbids possession of gold without a licence, but most of our small-scale miners do not have these licences. We need to find a way to include them in the law so that their contributions can make a difference,” she said.
She said there was also need to harmonise all the laws governing the gold sector to make it easy for administration.
The gold industry is regulated through the Mines and Minerals Act, The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Act, the Finance Act, Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Exchange Control Act and the Environmental Management Act.
The amended Gold Trade Act also seeks to define possession of gold, the term “agent”, to define a small-scale miner and provide for control measures in relation to handling of gold.
On the Precious Stones Act, Government is seeking to harmonise the laws governing their mining and marketing.
The ministry intends to synchronise the amended Precious Stones Act with the Mines and Minerals Act, the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, the Environmental Management Act, the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe Act and the Income Tax Act, the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act and the Base Minerals Export Control Act.
“There is realisation that some semi-precious stones fetch more money than diamonds, but they are not clearly regulated. There is need to regulate the sale of semi-precious stones so that they can benefit the country,” said Ms Nolwazi Muchinguri, a senior legal officer in the ministry.
Semi-precious stones include turquoise, tanzanite, amber, amethyst and aquamarine, to name a few.
Ms Muchinguri said small-scale miners who found such stones end up selling in Zambia where there is a ready market.
She said the Ministry would take these public consultations to all provinces.
Today, the team will be at Domboshava Primary School in Mutare District on the same exercise.
Online Reporter