Bitter gold mine wrangle finally ends

A long-running ownership dispute over the gold-rich Cheer Up 1 Mine, trading as Mudzimundiringe Syndicate in Zoma near Chatsworth, Gutu, has taken a new turn after the High Court brokered a settlement aimed at restoring operations while allowing further negotiations between the feuding parties.

The agreement follows months of tensions that had disrupted mining activities and previously escalated into violence, with reports of an injury during clashes between rival groups. The unrest prompted authorities to temporarily suspend operations and deploy police officers to restore order at the mine.

Justice Christopher Dube-Banda recorded the settlement on July 31 after the disputing parties agreed to a framework governing the mine's operations pending resolution of outstanding issues.

The applicants were represented by Justin Zuze of Zuze Law Chambers, while the respondents were represented by Owen Mafa. The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development was represented by Eunice Shoko.

Under the court-sanctioned agreement, proceeds from the mining operation will be shared with 30 percent allocated to the syndicate, 25 percent to the sponsor, 25 percent to the workers and 20 percent to the registered mine owner, Maidei Badza.

Speaking after the ruling, Badza welcomed the settlement, saying it marked a positive step towards restoring stability at the mine.

"We agreed to work together under those conditions and see if there are avenues for further negotiations," she said.

The agreement is expected to allow mining operations to resume under an agreed framework while creating space for the parties to continue discussions on unresolved ownership and management issues.

The dispute had previously spilled into the courts following disagreements over ownership rights and control of the lucrative gold mining operation, with the latest settlement offering a pathway towards resolving one of the area's most contentious mining conflicts.