Story by Stanley James, Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE is prioritising mining operations that facilitate socio-economic development by deploying a team of experts to audit compliance with required extraction standards.
The launch of the second phase of the Responsible Mining Audit in Harare this Friday brought to the fore the need to pursue resource exploitation in a sustainable manner through observing the country’s laws.
“This audit is key to ensure that the mining sector continues to play a critical role in economic development. We are optimistic that such an audit will further spell guidelines in terms of the roadmap of our mining sector and what we need in terms of the growth and overall contribution to the economy,” said the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Honourable Winston Chitando.
Artisanal miners who constitute a huge part of the mining sector also revealed during a Zimbabwe Miners Federation Annual General Meeting this Friday that their activities will be done in compliance with stipulated regulations to ensure resource exploitation are being done in a sustainable manner.
“The ZMF is in strong support of the system with regards to the best practices so what we need is a single system with the government requirements. So, indeed, the industry is committed to the sustainable manner of resource exploitation across the country,” said Zimbabwe Miners Federation President, Ms Henrietta Rushwaya.
With the government deploying teams of mining experts to evaluate compliance of the responsible mining system, expectations are that the move will enable authorities to refine existing regulations to ensure mining activities facilitate economic development.
“The experts are expected to look forseveral issues that take into account the needs or requirements of the economy issues to do with compliance to tax, investment systems and financial records, among others,” said the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development Chairperson, Honourable Remigious Matangira.
Some of the key features of the responsible mining initiative include the need to preserve the environment, fair distribution of resources, financial benefits, employment systems or working conditions, accountability and transparency.”
