Resettled farmers stake in mining profits

mining activities precedence over all other economic activities in the country saying it made miners disrupt their farming activities “with impunity.”
They called for a new law to harmonise farming and mining.
The farmers alleged that a majority of miners started mining on their land without informing them.
A number of the farmers said disputes arose mainly because the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development was using old maps to issue mining licences, instead of new ones that recognise that land has been subdivided for resettlement.
In an interview, war veteran and Zanu-PF’s deputy secretary for publicity in Matabeleland South, Cde Jabulani Petshu Sibanda, said the relationship between miners, especially small scale miners, and landowners had seriously deteriorated.
“Miners are setting up mines on farms without the authority of the landowners. Their activities sometimes poison livestock and destroy crops.
“The Government should give about 25 percent of mining profits to plot holders on whose land mines are situated to compensate them for the disruptions caused by mines. If the mines are owned by foreigners, then the 51 percent prescribed by the indigenisation policy should be given to landowners,” said Cde Sibanda.
He said miners should not be given mining licences if landowners have not signed a contract allowing the miners into their territory.
Cde Sibanda said miners should be stopped from poaching wildlife on farms and setting snares to catch them.
“Some of these snares catch and kill livestock. Some miners leave plastic materials lying around and cattle often eat the plastics and die. If mining activities are not controlled soon, the gains of the land reform programme might be reversed,” said Cde Sibanda.
Mr Pritchard Ndlovu, a resettled farmer in Umguza who recently lost three head of cattle after the animals fell into a mining pit, said miners should introduce themselves to landowners and fill up all the pits they dig to protect livestock and children.
“Miners should make themselves known to farmers before they start digging on farmland. They should backfill all the dangerous shafts and open surfaces to ensure the safety of people and livestock on the farms. A mechanism to compensate us for losses arising from such activities should be put in place by Government,” said Mr Ndlovu.
Another farmer at Fort Rixon, said farmers must be consulted before miners set up any structure, whether temporary or permanent.
A farmer in Gwanda said miners often failed to construct toilets and used the bush to relieve themselves, while also cutting down trees without reason.
“They contaminate the pastures and when our animals feed on contaminated grass, they catch measles. The law also stipulates that they should buy the trees they cut down from plot holders but this not happening,” said the farmer.
He added that miners often leave farm gates open and their livestock escape or mix up with undesirable breeds.
A comment could not be obtained from the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Obert Mpofu.
His mobile number was unreachable.
The country’s chief mining commissioner, Mr Fredson Mabhena, could not comment as he was in church.
He asked this reporter to call after 5pm but his phone was unreachable, then.