Give artisanal miners more time: Minister

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Manicaland Bureau
GOVERNMENT says small-scale miners should be given time to acquire equipment and work the land before considering forfeiting their claims over non-payment of rentals.

According to the Mines and Minerals Act, claims that are not up to date on rent payments after two years are forfeited as they are deemed to be held for speculative purposes.

Speaking at a Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation (ZMF) meeting with small-scale miners last week, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba said everyone should be given a chance to prove that they can contribute meaningfully to production.

“I implore you as the Miners’ Federation and Ministry of Mines not to just take land from such miners because they are not utilising it. We have not yet reached the stage for forfeiture. These miners have no equipment to work the land yet, so forfeiture should not apply to them. Give them time. We cannot start off by saying they are not producing when they have not had the chance to work the land,” she said.

Dr Gwaradzimba urged ZMF to follow up on loans given to small-scale miners to ensure that they were being utilised to make the land productive.

She urged the miners to use loan facilities to improve their operations and not channel the money to personal use.

“Sometimes the problem is that you give these miners money but don’t follow up to see that they utilise the loans properly. To you miners, I say when we receive loans we must have a culture of paying back. When we are given equipment, let us use it wisely to improve our production,” she added.

Dr Gwaradzimba urged the miners to work towards being medium-scale miners by 2030.

“Don’t just keep the land without working on it. We don’t want you to remain artisanal and small-scale miners but you should grow so that you contribute more to the country’s Gross Domestic Product,” she said.

“By end of year, we should assess that miners are working the land as promised. Do not take forever to work land, holding on to State resources for speculative purposes. We will monitor those that have claims to see if they are being utilised.”