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Parly committee gets Chiadzwa clearance

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The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy has finally been cleared to tour Zimbabwe’s Chiadzwa diamond fields after previous attempts to visit the area were blocked by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development. Acting committee chairman Simbaneuta Mudarikwa said the four-day tour starts today. The committee, previously chaired by Guruve South MP Edward […]

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy has finally been cleared to tour Zimbabwe’s Chiadzwa diamond fields after previous attempts to visit the area were blocked by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.

Acting committee chairman Simbaneuta Mudarikwa said the four-day tour starts today.

The committee, previously chaired by Guruve South MP Edward Chindori-Chininga (Zanu PF), was blocked from visiting the diamond-rich area in 2010.

Mudarikwa yesterday blamed the hitch on what he termed communication breakdown between the committee and the mines ministry.

“The problem was a breakdown of communication between relevant authorities and we cannot really say the committee was denied entry,” Mudarikwa said.

“It is a protected area which falls under the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

“The visit will be helpful as Parliament has an oversight role to play and we will be able to visit communities affected by relocations in Chiadzwa.”

He said the committee was going to investigate issues of land degradation in Chiadzwa to find out if companies mining there were complying with the environmental impact assessment standards,” he said.

Mudarikwa said his committee would also interview Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) officials with a view to assess if industries and companies in Mutare were benefiting from diamond firms mining in Chiadzwa.

“We want to find out from the ZMDC if companies mining in Chiadzwa are giving business to local industries in Mutare in terms of purchasing raw materials, stationery and other things,” Mudarikwa said.

He said the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries would also be interviewed on issues to do with beneficiation of local communities and the nation at large from diamond proceeds.

The committee last visited Chiadzwa in 2009 where it observed non-compliance with proper mining regulations.