After many false starts and repeated civil society calls for mining reform, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has finally come up with a Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill. You can find it here.
Why is this important?
- Mineral resources juridically belong to the citizens of Zimbabwe. By not participating in the reform of the law, you are abdicating your responsibility as a citizen
- It has taken us so long to get here. There was a Draft Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill of 2007 that was abandoned midstream. There was also a Draft Minerals Policy of 2013 that was abandoned midstream. The Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) was discussed in 2013 and was also abandoned mid-stream
- Zimbabwe still has considerable mineral wealth. Mining will remain central to our country’s socio-economic growth prospects.
- There has been pervasive poor governance in the mining sector. We cannot afford more of the same and Zimbabwe should not be consigned to being yet another case study of the resource curse theory in Africa. Some money was clearly lost in the Marange Diamonds. There has been confusion around the Community Share Ownership Scheme and the indigenization framework. There is opacity in the granting of licences. There is no framework for the support of artisanal miners.
- There is limited access to extractives related information. Information on revenues earned from our natural resources is not easily accessible.
- There is limited public participation in the governance of Zimbabwe’s mineral resources. Communities in resource rich areas often have no say in how mining companies end up in the areas and the terms under which they leave.
- The scope of reforms being proposed are the largest since the law was promulgated in 1961. There is no saying when such a level of reform will be initiated again.
How can I participate?
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy is holding consultations. Please attend these and make your voice count. If you are not in any of the areas please ask relatives/friends/colleagues to attend. Alternatively, reach out to Nyaradzo Mutonhori of the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association on nyaradzo@zela.org / +263 734 997 148 and find information on how you can make a submission to the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee. You can also get in touch with the Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust on +263 4 886763
You can also send your written submission to Parliament through email to clerk@parlzim.gov.zw or by hand delivery at Parliament.
Schedule of Public Consultations
Team A
| DAY | TIME | PLACE | TOWN |
| Monday 19 September 2016 | 0900-1200 hrs | Mberengwa Education Centre Hall | Mberengwa |
| Tuesday 20 September 2016 | 0900-1230 hrs | Masvingo Civic Centre | Masvingo |
| Wednesday 21September 2016 | 0900-1200 hrs
1400-1600 hrs |
Bikita Rural District Council Board Room
22 Miles Hall |
Bikita
Marange |
| Thursday 22 September 2016 | 0900-1200 hrs | Redwing Mine Club | Penhalonga |
| Friday 23 September 2016 | 0900-1200 hrs
1400-1600 hrs |
Tendayi Hall
Glendale Community Hall |
Bindura
Glendale |
| Saturday 24 September 2016 | 0900-1230 hrs | HICC | Harare |
Team B
| DAY | TIME | PLACE | TOWN |
| Monday 19 September 2016 | 1000-1200 hrs | Lwendulu Hall | Hwange |
| Tuesday 20 September 2016 | 1000-1200 hrs | Gwanda Hotel | Gwanda |
| Wednesday 21September 2016 | 0930-1200 hrs
1400-1600 |
Ironside Hall
Kwekwe Theatre |
Shurugwi
Kwekwe |
| Thursday 22 September 2016 | 0900-1200 hrs
|
Tursey Hall | Mhondoro-Ngezi |
| Friday 23 September 2016 | 0900-1220 hrs | Nyamakwere Hall | Mutoko |
| Saturday 24 September 2016 | 0900-1230 hrs | HICC | Harare |
*Gilbert Makore is a citizen of Zimbabwe who has an interest in natural resources governance. He writes in his personal capacity.
