Republic of Zimbabwe Minister of Mines Obert Mpofu has challenged the DeBeers diamond corporation for its theft of resources from the Southern African state. Zimbabwe has one of the largest diamond deposits in the world., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
Saturday, 02 March 2013 00:00
Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe Herald
PRESIDENT Mugabe yesterday gazetted 27 948 hectares of excess ground containing platinum reserves held by Zimplats that it intends to compulsorily acquire in terms of the Mines and Minerals Act.
According to an Extraordinary Government Gazette published yesterday, the Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said those who want to make representations could visit the office of the Mines and Mining Development Ministry.
“Notice is hereby given, in terms of Section 398 of the Mines and Minerals Act (Chapter 21:05), that the President intends to acquire compulsorily part of the land held by Zimplats Holdings Limited under Special Mining Lease Number 1 as it fully appears below, for the utilisation of such mining location for the benefit of the public,” read the notice.
“The map is available for inspection at the offices of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development between 8am and 4pm from Monday to Friday other than on a public holiday.”
Those affected could lodge their objections with relevant authorities.
“In terms of Section 5 of the Land Acquisition Act (Chapter 20:10) any person having an interest or right in the land who wishes (a) to contest the acquisition of the land, should lodge a written objection with the acquiring authority within 30 days from the date of publication of this notice in the Gazette (b) to claim compensation in terms of Part V for the acquisition of the land, should submit a claim in terms of Section 22, with the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Seventh Floor Zimre Centre, corner Nkwame Nkrumah Avenue/Leopold Takawira Street (Private Bag CY7709, Causeway, Harare.” read the notice.
Two weeks ago, Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu told journalists that excessive reserves held by Zimplats would be allocated to new investors.
He said this was part of measures to ensure increased mining activities.
Minister Mpofu said other mining companies across the entire sector would have excess land repossessed by the Government.
Apart from repossessing excess ground held by mining companies, Government would ban the export of semi-processed platinum in two years to compel platinum mining companies to set up a refinery in the country.
Minister Mpofu said the repossessed Zimplats mining ground would attract at least five new big investors.
He said Zimplats was granted a Special Mining Lease in 1994 to cover 25 years of mining activity, but new geological information indicated that the ground and mineral exceeded the prescribed period.
Zimplats, Minister Mpofu said, would be left with mining ground to sustain it for several years.
Minister Mpofu said repossessing excess mining ground would prevent speculative tendencies by investors on the idle ground.
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