The Zimbabwe Miners Federation is set to engage the government to facilitate the release of land by big mining houses on a mutual understanding to allow artisanal miners to access claims, Great Dyke News 24 reports.
According to a memorandum seen by Great Dyke News 24, ZMF has lined up a number of meetings with key stakeholders between now and during the course of this month to pursue the acquisition of claims by artisanal and small scale miners.
“This memorandum is to give current updates within the mining industry especially with regards to artisanal and small- scale mining sector.
“To begin with, notice is hereby given that due to the upsurge of machete weilding gangs, the government has once again relaunched operation Chikorokoza Chapera.
“The crackdown is ongoing throughout the entire artisanal and illegal mining sites. Illegal mining has once again been criminalised.
“With this ongoing operation, ZMF President has just put on hold all penciled events for this month so as to monitor the situation and holistically engage the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Honourable Winston Chitando so that he facilitates for the release of land by big mining houses and other Chamber of Mines Members on a mutual understanding either through a tribute arrangement or artisanal miners being allowed to register and access claims in the following areas, Reserved, Protected Exclusive prospecting orders,” read the memo.
According to the memo a series of meetings will be held with key stakeholders during the course of this month in pursuance of this objective.
“We have had a meeting with the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Honourable Winston Chitando who has vehemently stated that he will put weight behind ZMF and roll up programmes and initiatives that will benefit ZMF membership. These will be unveiled in due course.
“Meanwhile, Regional Representatives should liaise with local association leadership so that they identify and list any areas that they know are owned by big mining houses which are currently dysfunctional or land that has never been utilized.”