THE Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (Zela) has called on stakeholders in the mining sector to engage civil society groups and communities in affected areas before awarding mining contracts, to avoid clashes over ownership of mineral resources.
REPORT BY OBEY MANAYITI
Speaking during a provincial alternative mining indaba in Vumba on Sunday, Zela executive director Mutuso Dhliwayo said most mineral-related conflicts happened when communities were left out of negotiations.
“Poorly-negotiated contracts do not unlock the real value of our country’s resources. We need proper negotiations of mining deals which involve wide consultations of numerous stakeholders involving community-based organisations and civil society members,” Dhliwayo said.
“As a country, we have a record of poorly-negotiated contracts even up to before independence. Look at the dispute between Zimplats and the government, the Zisco-Essar deal, rampant corruption in Chiadzwa, among other examples.
“We could be benefiting more from our resources if there were broad consultations on mining concerns. There would be reduced friction between mining companies and communities if the community is also consulted from the onset.”
Dhliwayo added: “Contract approval should be vested in Parliament too, as a way of checking out loopholes and corruption.
“Each time we call for this, we are labelled sellouts as civil society, but those ministers and officials who fail to negotiate mining contracts on behalf of their country are the real sell outs.”
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Chief mining commissioner Fredson Mabhena admitted the need for wide consultations on some key mining issues, saying his ministry will soon be rolling out consultations on the new Mining Act in different provinces.
He also lamented lack of value addition on many mineral resources.
The indaba was attended by representatives of diamond mining companies in Chiadzwa, officials from the Mines ministry, mining communities in Manicaland and the civil society.
