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Speaking during the commissioning of mining machinery in Umguza District a fortnight ago, Dr Mpofu said Government had with immediate effect reduced mining licence fees for small-scale miners.
He said conditions for mining operations’ registration had also been relaxed considering the critical role played by small-scale miners in the country’s economy.
However, ZMF national organising secretary Mr Ishmael Kaguru yesterday said that Government was yet to release the revised mining fees structure.
“We are still waiting for a schedule on reduced mining activities fees.
“Probably, the Government is still working on the revised mining activities fees schedule in line with our recommendations,” he said.
Efforts to get a comment from Dr Mpofu and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development Mr Prince Mupazviriho were unsuccessful.
Small-scale miners contribute a third of Zimbabwe’s gold output.
Between January and April this year, small-scale miners produced one tonne of gold compared to big mines that produced a combined two tonnes.
In January, Government increased mining fees by hefty margins with players in the mining industry describing the rates as outrageous and detrimental to mining operations in the country.
An ordinary gold prospecting licence for 10 hectares was increased to $500 from $100 while registration fees for mining claims on the same piece of land cost about $2 000.
Although, the Government said the increases were meant to curb speculative activities in the mining sector, the miners continued lobbying for the reduction of the rates.
Online Reporter