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Michael Magoronga Midlands Correspondent
Small-scale miners in Zimbabwe and Zambia want common policies over pricing and taxation of minerals, espacially from small mines and artisan miners, and so the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Small-Scale Miners Association of Zambia (SSMAZ).
Delivering a solidarity speech during the ZMF annual general meeting in Gweru last week SSMAZ leader Mr Alfred Lungu said the MoU was part of efforts to share experiences and learn from each other. Zambia was ready to support Zimbabwe to ensure the country fully benefitted from its vast natural resources.
“Zimbabwe and Zambia are like Siamese twins and we have signed a MoU with ZMF that will see us exchanging notes on operations of our small scale miners. We have been in the business for more than 10 years now and we have prepared documents and data that we will like to share with our Zimbabwean friends. Our people work hard and toil to get the minerals from underground only to be fleeced on pricing,” said Mr Lungu. Under the pact, the two bodies would seek uniform pricing models that appeal to both Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Mr Lungu, who is also Zambia Stock Exchange chairperson and Zambia Revenue Authority deputy chair, said he also intended to use his influence to ensure an improvement on taxation which had become a problem. He hailed Zimbabweans for being resilient in the face of sanctions imposed by the western countries. “As Zambia we are in total support of the lifting of sanctions that are affecting the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans,” said Mr Lungu.
ZMF President Ms Henrieta Rushwaya said the MoU sought to create mutual benefit for both countries.
“Zambia has more experience than us and we seek to benefit both in technical expertise as well as financial benefits from Zambia,” she said.
South Africa and China were also represented.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter