News / Local
Diamond deposits discovered at Showgrounds
03 Apr 2016 at 07:18hrs | Views
A RICH diamond belt has been discovered at Mutare Show Grounds and lands overlooking the Murahwa Hills in Chikanga.
manica Post reported that the discovery is a confirmation of a recent geographical survey which showed that a rich diamond belt stretched from Mutare down to the Save Valley in the Lowveld.
News of the discovery was filtering in Mutare at the time of going to Press and law enforcement agents had been deployed to cordon off the area for fear of a diamond rush due to the area's proximity to Chikanga and Sakubva high-density suburbs.
When the news crew visited the area, some excited residents who had heard of the ‘Eureka' were milling around ready to pounce, but law enforcement agent kept a hawk's eye on their movements. There were also reports that members of the Zimbabwe National Army's Headquarters 3 Brigade were put on standby to beef up security in the event that some daring panners trespass to the new diamond fields.
Although no official comment could be obtained from officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development in Mutare, illegal panners who had managed to sneak it said the gems they were collecting were similar to those found in Chiadzwa.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, could not be reached for comment.
"This is a rare opportunity which we know will end soon with the deployment of the police. I have to sweat and ensure I get as many pieces as possible. I think my prayers have been answered," said one of the panners who only identified himself as John.
Judging with the direction the panners have taken, the belt likely passes through the Zimbabwe National Army 3 Infantry Headquarters.
Considering that most law enforcements agents were deployed to Chiadzwa following the closure of the mines, authorities have to mobilize reinforcements to protect the area from the illegal panners.
manica Post reported that the discovery is a confirmation of a recent geographical survey which showed that a rich diamond belt stretched from Mutare down to the Save Valley in the Lowveld.
News of the discovery was filtering in Mutare at the time of going to Press and law enforcement agents had been deployed to cordon off the area for fear of a diamond rush due to the area's proximity to Chikanga and Sakubva high-density suburbs.
When the news crew visited the area, some excited residents who had heard of the ‘Eureka' were milling around ready to pounce, but law enforcement agent kept a hawk's eye on their movements. There were also reports that members of the Zimbabwe National Army's Headquarters 3 Brigade were put on standby to beef up security in the event that some daring panners trespass to the new diamond fields.
Although no official comment could be obtained from officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development in Mutare, illegal panners who had managed to sneak it said the gems they were collecting were similar to those found in Chiadzwa.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa, could not be reached for comment.
"This is a rare opportunity which we know will end soon with the deployment of the police. I have to sweat and ensure I get as many pieces as possible. I think my prayers have been answered," said one of the panners who only identified himself as John.
Judging with the direction the panners have taken, the belt likely passes through the Zimbabwe National Army 3 Infantry Headquarters.
Considering that most law enforcements agents were deployed to Chiadzwa following the closure of the mines, authorities have to mobilize reinforcements to protect the area from the illegal panners.
Source - Manica Post
