News / National
Empowerment activists praise 100% indigenisation of the mining sector
08 Jul 2012 at 06:55hrs | Views
Empowerment activists say the recent policy on the 100% indigenisation of the mining sector is a welcome development as this will restore total control of the mineral resources to the local majority.
Former Affirmative Action Group President, Mr Supa Mandiwanzira says the latest development clearly demonstrates that government is serious in ensuring the total economic empowerment of the indigenous people.
"This is a step in the right direction and President Mugabe is spot on. We have been clamouring for such policies which clearly demonstrates that government wants people to have total control of their natural resources," said Mr Mandiwanzira.
Another empowerment activist, Mr Donald Chanaiwa says the policy will ensure that externalisation of funds is reduced as Zimbabweans will use the money for national development programmes.
"We had cases of foreign mining companies banking offshore so this is good. Zimbabweans will use their money to develop their country," Mr Chanaiwa said.
Representatives of empowerment lobby groups, Mr Charles Nyachowe and Mr James Pande say the fact that under the policy no foreigners will be granted mining licenses, local people in the mining sector will be able to bargain competitively with investors.
"A mining claim will enable the local people to bargain with investors because most of our people do not have money, so this is empowerment at its best," said Mr Nyachowe.
The new policy on mining licences has resulted in the formulation of a framework for its implementation.
This comes after a declaration by the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Robert Mugabe to afford indigenous people total control of their resources.
Currently consultations are underway with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and local experts in the mining sector are being encouraged to form consortiums for them to be awarded permits.
Former Affirmative Action Group President, Mr Supa Mandiwanzira says the latest development clearly demonstrates that government is serious in ensuring the total economic empowerment of the indigenous people.
"This is a step in the right direction and President Mugabe is spot on. We have been clamouring for such policies which clearly demonstrates that government wants people to have total control of their natural resources," said Mr Mandiwanzira.
Another empowerment activist, Mr Donald Chanaiwa says the policy will ensure that externalisation of funds is reduced as Zimbabweans will use the money for national development programmes.
"We had cases of foreign mining companies banking offshore so this is good. Zimbabweans will use their money to develop their country," Mr Chanaiwa said.
"A mining claim will enable the local people to bargain with investors because most of our people do not have money, so this is empowerment at its best," said Mr Nyachowe.
The new policy on mining licences has resulted in the formulation of a framework for its implementation.
This comes after a declaration by the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Robert Mugabe to afford indigenous people total control of their resources.
Currently consultations are underway with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and local experts in the mining sector are being encouraged to form consortiums for them to be awarded permits.
Source - Zbc
