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Mines Ministry demands US$31m in arrears
1 hr ago |
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The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is owed approximately US$31 million in outstanding mining title fees, with title holders being given until August 31 to settle their arrears or formally approach the ministry with payment plans.
Permanent Secretary Dr Thomas Utete Wushe announced the deadline on August 20, 2026, during a visit to the ministry's Provincial Mining Office in Mashonaland Central.
He urged officials to intensify engagement with mining title holders and ensure outstanding fees are recovered.
"We are giving miners up to 31 August 2026 to pay their outstanding fees," Dr Wushe said.
The arrears relate to fees payable by holders of mining titles and have accumulated to approximately US$31 million.
Dr Wushe said mining title holders facing genuine financial difficulties would be allowed to engage the ministry and propose arrangements for clearing their debts.
"Those who cannot meet the deadline should write to the Ministry outlining how they intend to settle their arrears," he said.
"We are reasonable. We will engage with those who come forward with clear payment plans."
Ministry Links Fees to Service Delivery
Dr Wushe said the payment of mining title fees was critical to the ministry's ability to provide services to the mining industry.
"For service delivery to be smooth and great, miners must pay. We cannot continue to provide services when revenues are not coming in," he said.
The ministry is seeking to improve compliance among mining title holders while strengthening revenue collection across the sector.
Provincial Mining Offices have been identified as the first point of engagement for title holders seeking to establish their outstanding balances and regularise their accounts.
Dr Wushe also directed ministry officials to adopt a proactive approach by contacting mining title holders instead of waiting for them to visit government offices.
"Go out there and encourage miners to pay before the deadline. We want to see compliance, not confrontation," he said.
The ministry's approach allows title holders who cannot immediately settle their arrears to formally communicate their circumstances and propose a mechanism for clearing the outstanding amounts.
With unpaid title fees now estimated at US$31 million, the ministry is seeking to recover significant outstanding revenue while maintaining engagement with mining companies and other title holders across the sector.
Permanent Secretary Dr Thomas Utete Wushe announced the deadline on August 20, 2026, during a visit to the ministry's Provincial Mining Office in Mashonaland Central.
He urged officials to intensify engagement with mining title holders and ensure outstanding fees are recovered.
"We are giving miners up to 31 August 2026 to pay their outstanding fees," Dr Wushe said.
The arrears relate to fees payable by holders of mining titles and have accumulated to approximately US$31 million.
Dr Wushe said mining title holders facing genuine financial difficulties would be allowed to engage the ministry and propose arrangements for clearing their debts.
"Those who cannot meet the deadline should write to the Ministry outlining how they intend to settle their arrears," he said.
"We are reasonable. We will engage with those who come forward with clear payment plans."
Dr Wushe said the payment of mining title fees was critical to the ministry's ability to provide services to the mining industry.
"For service delivery to be smooth and great, miners must pay. We cannot continue to provide services when revenues are not coming in," he said.
The ministry is seeking to improve compliance among mining title holders while strengthening revenue collection across the sector.
Provincial Mining Offices have been identified as the first point of engagement for title holders seeking to establish their outstanding balances and regularise their accounts.
Dr Wushe also directed ministry officials to adopt a proactive approach by contacting mining title holders instead of waiting for them to visit government offices.
"Go out there and encourage miners to pay before the deadline. We want to see compliance, not confrontation," he said.
The ministry's approach allows title holders who cannot immediately settle their arrears to formally communicate their circumstances and propose a mechanism for clearing the outstanding amounts.
With unpaid title fees now estimated at US$31 million, the ministry is seeking to recover significant outstanding revenue while maintaining engagement with mining companies and other title holders across the sector.
Source - Mining Zimbabwe
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