Mining Amendment

an official said at the weekend.
The Amendment Bill seeks to, among other things, compel mining companies to fund development of communities they are operating in.
The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill has been delayed for almost seven years.
Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development Mr Thankful Musukutwa said the draft Bill would soon be submitted to stakeholders for further consultation.
“The Attorney-General’s Office has completed drafting the Bill.
“We should have the Bill so that we submit to mining stakeholders for corrections and consultations,” he said.
Commenting on the delay in finalising the amendment Bill, Mr Musukutwa said Government
was aware of the urgent need for revised legislation to the mining sector.
“We know that we need the amended Act but it had to go through processes which could not be avoided,” he said.
Chiefs’ Council president Fortune Charumbira said expectations remained high that the amendments to the Mines and Minerals Act would ensure that communities benefit from operations conducted in their areas.
“The review of the mining
legislation should address the anomaly whereby firms are benefiting at the expense of communities,” he said.
“The law is coming up to support that no mining company should operate without authority of local leadership.” – New Ziana.