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Article

17 Jun 2019

Author:
Anna Chibamu, New Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe)

Zimbabwe: Local authorities demand legislation and transparency in the extractives industry

‘Rural Authorities Demand Mining Transparency Amid Rampant Mineral Exploitation’ 10 June 2019

Rural district managers around the country have expressed concern over the continued exploitation of minerals in their areas by foreigners without consultation. Rural District Councils (RDC) called for government to place proper legislation so that there could be transparency in the signing of mining contracts and extraction of minerals. At a recent Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) consultative meeting on commodity transparency issues, stakeholders accused miners of not being faithful and only "coming to get rich", leaving their areas vulnerable.

Mutoko RDC CEO, Peter Sigauke said as administrators, they were still in the dark as to the value of the minerals extracted from their areas. "We do not know how much a tonne of granite rock or the currency it is sold in? Is it in US dollars, bond notes or RTGS? "We need to know the value of the minerals so that we tally with our development levy. We need data, how much are they paying as royalties." Royalties are paid to government and then availed to RDCs to improve on infrastructure such as schools, clinics and roads. The RDC officials also revealed that government has not been giving royalties to local authorities and this had greatly affected the smooth flow of their work in delivering services.

…Mines and Mining Development parliamentary committee chairperson, Edmond Mkaratigwa however, admitted there were anomalies within the extractive sector adding that the traditional culture of doing business was no longer favourable in the current situation. "We also want other stakeholders to be transparent as well. For example, Extension Officers can help us in surfacing hidden information. "As Parliament, we want to amend laws or align them to the new constitution so that they help and guide in the extraction of minerals. "Issues of the proposed Devolution Bill and access to markets are crucial to the industry to benefit everyone and not just a few," Mkaratigwa highlighted.