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FOUR mining companies in Masvingo have started fulfilling their community share ownership trust financial pledges with nearly $1 million having been paid since the official launch of the schemes early this year.
Lennox Mine, Bikita Minerals and Murowa Diamonds have already paid varying amounts of money into the community share ownership schemes while the province’s biggest gold producer Renco Mine has made a firm commitment to pay up soon.
The move by the four mining firms to pay up comes in the wake of a slow start to the exercise in Masvingo, a situation which resulted in political leaders in the province castigating the companies for allegedly acting in bad faith.
Masvingo provincial administrator Mr Felix Chikovo last week confirmed the progress made in fulfilling the pledges.
“We are happy that there has been some movement with regards to fulfillment of the community share trust financial obligations by the four mining companies,” said Mr Chikovo.
“I am happy that so far Murowa Diamonds, Lennox Mine and Bikita Minerals have made some payments while Renco Mine has also given us positive signals that they will pay something soon.”
The community share ownership trust money would see the province funding implementation of community projects. Mr Chikovo singled out the Chivi Community Share Trust saying major inroads had already been made in the drought-prone district using $300 000 that was paid by Murowa Diamonds Mine soon after the official launch of the scheme. The provincial administrator, however, said there was a need for more clarity on the role that was going to be played by sugar cane growing firm, Tongaat Hullet and wildlife concern, Save Valley Conservancy, which were also roped into the community share ownership model in Masvingo.
Mr Chikovo said to date only mining companies have been designated for the community share ownership trust concept and called for more consultations on how agro-based concerns like Tongaat Hullet could be incorporated. Tongaat Hullet has been under fire from the Masvingo political leadership for allegedly being reluctant to comply with indigenisation laws.
The seven companies, including Tongaat Hullett, Save Valley Conservancy and the mothballed Shabanie Mashava Asbestos mine pledged $1,5 million for the Masvingo Community Share Ownership Trusts.
Online Reporter