Source: Farmers to negotiate shares before mining starts, Govt says – CITEZW
The Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development responsible for oil and gas research and strategic minerals exploration, Dr Caleb Makwiranzou, says the new Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill will give farmers and landowners stronger protection when mining investors seek to operate on their land, including the right to be consulted first and to negotiate benefits before any relocation occurs.
Dr Makwiranzou told Senate on Thursday that the new law, H.B. 1, 2025, aims to end long-standing conflicts between mining companies and rural communities.
He was responding to a question from Senator Chief Chikwaka, who raised concerns about communities being displaced by mining operations without proper compensation or suitable living conditions.
Chief Chikwaka said that although Zimbabwe welcomes foreign mining investors under the “open for business” policy, many villagers are being relocated to inhospitable areas without their livelihoods being improved.
“We are glad that Zimbabwe is open for business… However, we have a challenge. What is government policy regarding the allocation of licences where miners displace local communities? You find that people are just relocated without improving their lives,” he said.
Dr Makwiranzou said that mining cannot begin without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outlining how affected households will be compensated or resettled.
“Before giving permission to miners, we require an Environmental Impact Assessment report, which looks at the community to be affected and where they will be relocated. If they are to receive houses, that must be shown in the report. Only after receiving that report can we allow mining to proceed,” he said.
He added that under the new law, farmers will have the right to negotiate for shares in the mining company.
“The new law allows that if someone has a field or farm where mining is required, that person is given the first option. They are asked whether they agree to mining, and they can negotiate with the investor, including discussing the allocation of shares,” he said.
Dr Makwiranzou emphasised that relocation must be based on consent.
“They must give consent because the previous law caused disputes due to conflicts between the Minerals Act and the Agricultural Act,” he said.
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