Rédaction Africa Links 24 with dayton
Published on 2024-01-31 22:17:57
Chidakwa were addressing a parliamentary portfolio committee on Mines and Energy where they revealed that of the 300 exclusive prospecting orders issued by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, only 40 are currently being used for mining purposes. This revelation has raised concerns about the hoarding of these orders by speculators, which is hampering access to minerals for genuine miners.
The issue of exclusive prospecting orders is a critical one for the mining sector in Zimbabwe. These orders grant the holder exclusive rights to carry out prospecting and exploration activities in a specific area for a certain period of time. They are a crucial step in the mining process as they allow miners to identify potential mineral deposits and assess their commercial viability before moving on to the extraction phase.
The revelation that the majority of these orders are being held for speculative purposes is worrying for several reasons. Firstly, it prevents genuine miners from accessing these areas and potentially developing them into productive mines. This not only stunts the growth of the mining sector but also hampers economic development as a whole. The mining sector is a key driver of Zimbabwe’s economy, and any hindrance to its growth has ripple effects throughout the entire country.
Furthermore, the hoarding of exclusive prospecting orders by speculators contributes to the loss of potential revenue for the government. If these areas were being actively mined, the government would collect taxes and royalties from the extracted minerals, which could be used to fund social programs and infrastructure development. Instead, these areas lay dormant, depriving the government of much-needed revenue.
The issue of hoarding exclusive prospecting orders is not a new one. In 2016, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Walter Chidhakwa, expressed concern over the lack of activity in areas covered by these orders. At the time, he announced plans to cancel some of the orders that were not being used, in order to free up the areas for genuine miners. However, it seems that this issue persists, with the vast majority of these orders still not being utilized for mining activities.
In response to these concerns, officials from the Mines Ministry have indicated that they are considering taking action to address the hoarding of exclusive prospecting orders. While they did not provide specifics on what actions they might take, it is clear that they recognize the problem and are working to find a solution. It is crucial that they follow through on this and take concrete steps to free up these areas for genuine mining activities.
One potential solution could be to review the criteria for issuing exclusive prospecting orders, in order to ensure that they are being granted to legitimate miners who have the capacity and intention to carry out prospecting and exploration activities. This could help to prevent speculators from obtaining these orders and holding onto them for speculative purposes.
Another possible measure could be to introduce a “use it or lose it” policy for exclusive prospecting orders. This would mean that if a holder of an exclusive prospecting order does not carry out any mining activities within a certain period of time, the order would be revoked and the area would be made available to other miners. This could help to prevent the hoarding of these orders and encourage their active use for mining activities.
In conclusion, the revelation that the vast majority of exclusive prospecting orders in Zimbabwe are being held for speculative purposes is a cause for concern. It hampers the development of the mining sector, deprives the government of potential revenue, and undermines the potential for economic growth. It is essential for the Mines Ministry to take action to address this issue and free up these areas for genuine miners, in order to unlock their potential for the benefit of the economy and the country as a whole.
Read Original article on The Herald
