admin
foreign- owned companies operating at Chiadzwa as Zimbabwe is not benefiting much from the vast resource because of the nature of the agreements.
Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Gift Chimanikire told delegates attending the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Manicaland region annual awards in Mutare on Friday that the ministry wants Government to have more than 50 percent shareholding in the mines.
Companies mining diamonds at Chiadzwa are in 50-50 joint venture agreements with Government through its mining arm — the Zimbabwe Mining Development Co-operation.
Mr Chimanikire said Government should own at least 70 percent in the mining ventures.
“As a ministry we are advocating to some of our colleagues that we need to re-visit some of the contracts we signed with foreign companies mining diamonds.
“Diamonds are our own natural resource and Government should review those contracts and ensure Zimbabwe benefits. We deserve better than the 50/50 nemunhu akauya nefoshoro.
“This is what we are advocating for as a ministry,” said Deputy Minister Chimanikire.
“Government should have at least 70 percent or even 80 percent. Let us re-look at that policy. We signed those deals when we were poor. We are no longer poor.”
The deputy minister claimed some companies mining diamonds at Chiadzwa have not contributed anything to the fiscus since they begun operations.
He castigated mortgaging of the country’s precious minerals to settle foreign debts saying such an approach was retrogressive.
“We should not mortgage our diamonds.
“The approach by some ministries to settle debts with yet to be mined diamonds does not benefit the country. We should not mortgage our diamonds,” he said.
Government was also taking measures to ensure that the people of Manicaland benefitted from mining activities at Chiadzwa.
“I have told all investors that are coming through my office interested in the cutting and polishing of diamonds or building colleges to train diamond cutters and polishers to go to Mutare and do it there.
“That is an official policy and that way locals will benefit,” he said.
The people from Manicaland are unhappy that diamond companies have not done much to benefit the province. They are disappointed that Harare is benefiting more from diamond mining, cutting and polishing at the expense of Mutare.
Four companies are mining diamonds at Chiadzwa — Marange Resources, Mbada Diamonds, Anjin Investments and Pure Diamonds.
Online Reporter