News / National
Zimbabwe govt moves to clear mining licences backlog
9 hrs ago | Views
The Government is set to lift the suspension on the issuance of mining licences across Zimbabwe, Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Engineer Polite Kambamura announced in the National Assembly.
Responding to a question from Mashonaland West Youth Quota representative Amos Ziyambi, Eng Kambamura acknowledged the backlog of pending mining licence applications. He attributed the delays to operational challenges but reassured that the Ministry is actively addressing the issue.
"We have been facing some challenges, which delayed the issuance of mining rights," he said. "As a ministry, we formed teams that are currently visiting provinces to clear these backlogs. We have started with some areas and plan to visit Mashonaland West early next month to clear the outstanding applications."
In addition to resolving the backlog, Eng Kambamura highlighted a partnership between the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate aimed at encouraging artisanal miners to register and formalise their operations.
"The first step towards formalisation is registration," he noted. "Every artisanal miner should be formally registered with the Ministry of Mines. We are conducting awareness campaigns to encourage small-scale miners to comply."
The Deputy Minister also outlined efforts to strengthen compliance enforcement, with joint inspection teams from the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Environment conducting site visits. Penalties and revocation of mining rights will be imposed on operators found violating legislation until they comply.
Last week, the Ministry launched its first-quarter gold mobilisation exercise. Teams are set to visit Zimbabwe's eight gold mining provinces to ensure that gold mining and trade operate within the bounds of the law.
These measures form part of the Government's broader strategy to formalise the mining sector, improve regulation, and enhance revenue collection from the country's valuable mineral resources.
Responding to a question from Mashonaland West Youth Quota representative Amos Ziyambi, Eng Kambamura acknowledged the backlog of pending mining licence applications. He attributed the delays to operational challenges but reassured that the Ministry is actively addressing the issue.
"We have been facing some challenges, which delayed the issuance of mining rights," he said. "As a ministry, we formed teams that are currently visiting provinces to clear these backlogs. We have started with some areas and plan to visit Mashonaland West early next month to clear the outstanding applications."
In addition to resolving the backlog, Eng Kambamura highlighted a partnership between the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate aimed at encouraging artisanal miners to register and formalise their operations.
"The first step towards formalisation is registration," he noted. "Every artisanal miner should be formally registered with the Ministry of Mines. We are conducting awareness campaigns to encourage small-scale miners to comply."
The Deputy Minister also outlined efforts to strengthen compliance enforcement, with joint inspection teams from the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Environment conducting site visits. Penalties and revocation of mining rights will be imposed on operators found violating legislation until they comply.
Last week, the Ministry launched its first-quarter gold mobilisation exercise. Teams are set to visit Zimbabwe's eight gold mining provinces to ensure that gold mining and trade operate within the bounds of the law.
These measures form part of the Government's broader strategy to formalise the mining sector, improve regulation, and enhance revenue collection from the country's valuable mineral resources.
Source - newsday
