By Nyasha Chimuka
The People and Earth Solidarity Law Network has urged government to set up a commission of inquiry that is inclusive, free and fair that will investigate and analyse property ownership in the mining sector as large scale mining companies are failing to utilise claims.
People and Earth Solidarity Law Network is a non-profit organisation of lawyers, legal and policy researchers working with engineers, scientists, economists and activists to stand up for environmental, climate and economic justice in Zimbabwe.
Speaking at a press conference in Harare, the People and Earth Solidarity Law Network (PESLN) Director, Lenin Tinashe Chisaira said large scale miners like RioZim are exploiting the nature of property rights in the country as they own about 260 claims in the Mashonaland Province and they are failing to utilise those claims.
“The government should stop labelling artisan miners as criminals but rather should provide them with the necessary tools and skills that will enable them to mine gold properly and safely. Artisan miners sell their gold to the Fidelity Printers and Refiners which a state owned company thereby providing the state with much needed revenue which is necessary for the country’ economic growth” he added.
Large scale miners should seek the abandonment certificate for the mines that they are not using as per the Mines and Minerals Act so that the small scale miners can utilise them.
Mines and Mineral amendment bill (2019) states that there is need for an inclusive allocation in pegging of claims and issuing licenses for both small scale and large scale miners. The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development observed that the issue between large scale miners and small scale miners is contentious and there was a plea from the small scale miners to be accommodated in reserved areas.
The disaster occurred at the large scale mine RioZim Limited owned Cricket Mine and Silver Moon in the battlefields Settlement on the 13th of February 2019 with 24 people confirmed dead and 8 rescued alive.
