Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill in Zimbabwe
Small-scale miners from Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland region have called for the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill to address disputes between miners and farmers. The issue was raised during a public hearing held by the Parliamentary Portfolio and Committee on Mines and Mineral Development on 7 March, after miners noted a large number of unresolved conflicts with farmers and resettlers.
Small-scale miners propose addressing miner-farmer disputes in the Bill
One miner, Jane Lusinga, pointed out that the Bill is silent on conflicts between miners and farmers or resettlers, which are rampant in the Bubi District mining areas. “The government should not allocate people farms and places to stay on mining claims. There have been a lot of disputes in this regard. When we engage them explaining that they are settling and farming on our mining land, they say that is where they were allocated, yet they are the same people who will wake up mining again in the same area tomorrow,” said Lusinga.
Farmer concerns: Mining laws give precedence to miners
However, farmers who were present at the hearing raised concerns about the precedence given to miners over them by mining laws. A Filabusi farmer, Elfas Nkatha, said, “I wish the law to look into the issue of plots with minerals. The law should protect the farmer and give first priority to the farmer whenever they find minerals in their plots unless he/she cannot mine, then he/she can invite miners who will adhere to the farming principles.”
Nkatha added that if farmers are allowed to mine minerals found in their farming spaces, they would do so responsibly and implement processes that are safe for both mining and farming. When miners, who do not value farming, come through, they only do what benefits them, and leave the land deteriorated without disposing of chemicals in a responsible manner, posing a threat to farmers, crops, and livestock.
Miner perspective: farmers should not be greedy
Miners, on the other hand, are against the idea, arguing that farmers should not be greedy and want to benefit from both farming and mining, as miners do not encroach into farming. The Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill is being reviewed to address issues affecting small-scale miners and other stakeholders in Zimbabwe’s mining sector, and it remains to be seen how the concerns raised by farmers and miners will be addressed in the final version of the Bill.
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