SOME small-scale miners in Mufurudzi Safari area in Mashonaland Central Province have cried foul over the high levies charged by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Zimparks) saying the fees were beyond their reach.
Phyllis Mbanje STAFF REPORTER
The miners said the recent reintroduction of dangerous animals in the conservancy had endangered their lives and disrupted mining activities.
In a letter addressed to Mines minister, one of the miners Peter Kloppers of Mufurudzi Resources said: “The national parks is charging us enormous levies which we have disputed and the case is now at High court.”
Earlier this year, the Zimbabwe Artisanal and Small Scale for Sustainable Mining Council (ZASMC) called on Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa to reduce mining royalties.
According to the 2014 Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (Tariff of fees) by-laws, miners with established mines within parks and wildlife estates are expected to pay $15 000 per claim per quarter.
Currently, government levies small-scale miners around 15% of earnings.
Kloppers said in conjunction with Pioneer Transport, Zimparks had restocked the safari with dangerous animal species.
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“We have asked the authority to provide us with requirements to carry out our activities, but they have been stalling. The case is currently being handled by our lawyers,” said another miner Nelson Chadamoyo.
However, Zimparks spokesperson Caroline Washaya–Moyo said the primary purpose of Mufurudzi Safari Area was statutorily defined as a wildlife conservation area. “There is no danger to the miners that comes from wildlife in the area as long as people follow Zimparks regulations and instructions. All miners travel in and out of Mufurudzi safari area using vehicles and their mining activities are restricted to their claim sites,” said Washaya-Moyo.
Commenting on the assurances that the miners would not damage the environment, Washaya-Moyo said “word of mouth” was inadequate.
“It is a statutory requirement that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is done for all mining activities in protected areas. Mufurudzi Resources are yet to carry out an EIA and submit it for approval by the relevant Government institutions,” she said.
Washaya-Moyo also denied that all mining activities had been stopped. She said it was just a case of a debtor refusing to pay lawful levies and fees to Zimparks.
“They can mine if they pay the requisite fees and outstanding amounts due to the Authority as legislatively provided for,” she said.
