Zimbabwe is conducting an audit of the mining industry with a view to repossessing all mining claims that are being held for speculative purposes, reports Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu.

He says his Ministry has discovered that some big mines have liter- ally surrendered their claims to panners and are assisting in the smuggling of minerals out of the country.

“I know of some big mines that are in the habit of allowing panners to do the mining on their claims,” he says. “We are saying that should end. Those who hold claims should use them or risk losing them to government and people who are serious about mining.

“It is true that government may be losing money to these unscrupulous mines and we are going to carry out an audit that will determine and reflect the true picture of who is doing what, where and how. Those who are allowing panners to mine on their claims are not only causing environmental degradation but also loss of revenue to the State.”

Mpofu adds that investigations have revealed that big mining companies in the Midlands province, including some listed on the Zim- babwe Stock Exchange, are holding onto mining claims for speculative purposes.

More than 300 illegal gold panners are said to be mining gold in the Shurugwi area, in the Midlands.
Most of Zimbabwe’s gold mines suspended operations last 2008, owing to the serious economic challenges facing the country, including the world’s highest inflation rate and shortages of foreign currency, capital inputs and consumables.

Most of the mines have restarted operations, but some say they will only resume operations after receiving outstanding payments from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.

The central bank owes mining houses more than US$30-million for gold delivered to its subsidiary, Fidelity Refiners & Printers.

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