Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
COMMUNITIES in Hwange have urged Parliament to craft laws that compel mining companies to plough back to the societies they operate on.
Despite having vast mineral deposits and more than a dozen mines operating in Hwange, locals still feel their district is lagging behind in terms of development.
Contributing during a recent consultative meeting conducted by the Mines and Mining Parliamentary Portfolio Committee in Hwange over the Mines and Minerals Bill, residents said they wanted a law that protects communities from damage to the environment, pollution, and destruction of infrastructure.
The proposed new should mandate mining companies to plough back significant development to the community as part of their corporate social responsibility. For instance, participants said mining companies in Hwange were negligently discharging waste into water bodies and the surrounding environment causing pollution and also destroying roads without being monitored.
They demanded that mining companies should build schools, drill boreholes, and other key infrastructure for the community before they start mining operations. Locals also want the law to compel mining companies to respect community decisions and cultural heritage sites and shrines.
“We want Parliament to craft laws that protect Zimbabweans and we should be empowered to tell investors to respect citizens and work well with communities,” said Mr Prince Shava.
Another contributor Mr Erasmus Ndlovu said the Mines Bill should make it mandatory for any investor to consult the local community on any project. Participants also said the law must compel companies that pollute the environment to compensate affected communities, especially those that have lost livestock due to pollution.
They insisted that all companies should practice sustainable mining that does not destroy the environment and develop communities. Mr Mail Nkomo said the new law must provide for the signing of a Memoranda of Understanding between the investor and local community so that they are compelled to contribute to development.
Ms Christina Nkomo concurred saying the law should compel investors to invest in infrastructure development before they start mining operations. Mr Fati Mpofu said the new law should also ensure there is capacitation of youths through skills transfer.
“The law should be specific that new investors who bring in new technology should clearly state how they will transfer skills to locals,” he said.
Participants said Zimbabwe was using a Mining Act that was promulgated in 1961 whose provisions have been overtaken by events.
The process of amending the Act started in the previous Parliament but was halted after President Mnangagwa raised some reservations on some issues like land ownership. Parliament is now consulting citizens to complete the process. Chairperson of the Mines Portfolio Committee, Edmond Mkaratigwa, who is Legislator for Shurugwi South said participants had raised a plethora of issues that also dovetail with what the Mines and Mining Portfolio Committee has also been contemplating.
“Participants want an empowerment model that is unique to Zimbabwe. Zimbabweans are saying let’s put an end to challenges and conflict and they want a law compelling companies to plough back to the community,” he said.
The Mines and Minerals Bill cements the foundation that the country has been developing to make mining a business towards making sure there is growth towards the US$12 billion industry.
-@ncubeleon
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