Masvingo Parliamentary Hearings: A Call for Communal Mining and stronger environmental rehabilitation measures.

#MMAB Daily Updates- Day 2

By Lenin TinasheChisaira

The Parly portfolio committee in Masvingo

Participants in the City of Masvingo during the second day (20 September 2016) of the ongoing nationwide parliamentary public hearings on the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill have rightfully called for model mines to be set up in all mining districts for the benefit of the poor sectors of society who cannot afford to pay for mining rights and titles. There were also demands for stronger environmental rehabilitation measurers. The hearing was conducted at Masvingo Civic Centre and started at 1000hrs.

The participants however highlighted a lack of prior knowledge of the contents of the Bill, for instance most of the contributors had not read about the criteria for classifying strategic minerals. Some ended up wrongly identifying gold as a strategic mineral. The representative of the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Ms Viriri however was handy enough to give a brief overview of the Bill, and in the overview she explained other new concepts such as the proposed introduction of an electronic cadastral systems as well as certain changes in the duration for prospecting licenses.

As the public hearings continue, certain similar concerns continue to crop up in the mining communities. These include worries over the proposed immense powers being given to the Mining Affairs Board. The participants also suggested that there should be a specified percentage given to farmers by miners who operate on agricultural land.

Support from the people towards the establishment of the Safety, Health and

The writer during the hearing in Masvingo

Rehabilitation (SHR) Fund continues to grow. Suggestions were that Miners should pay up to 5% of their net profits  towards the fund, since the environment has been destroyed and society cannot afford to be lenient bout issues that affect future generation.

Another brilliant suggestion was that the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development as the administrator of the SHR Fund should bear responsibility over damages done by mining to humans and animal health or life.

There were legitimate concerns that Government shouldn’t run riverbed mining as is being proposed by Schedule 2 of the Bill. The reason being that state-run mining companies such as Sabi Gold have already closed due to bad management. This was similar to concerns raised during Day 1 of the hearings in Mberengwa.

For day three, the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy will be moving to the Bikita and Marange communities.

[ZELA will be giving daily updates on the parliamentary public hearings on the Mines and Minerals Bill. On social media, please follow hashtag: #MMAB]

ZELA: Using the law to protect and preserve the environment.