Disgruntled prospectors have urged the Mines and Mining Development ministry to reverse a directive barring from collecting coordinates from mining titles.
The ministry issued a notice recently stating that registered surveyors will now be collecting coordinates from mining titles, a job that was previously done by prospectors.
"In line with collection of coordinates from miners who hold mining titles, whose applications using survey grade equipment, D.G.P.S (Differential global position system)-Registered Approved Prospector and Registered Surveyor complimenting, coexistence and working parameters issues," read the government memo.
Zimbabwe Prospectors Union (ZPU) president, Samson Dzingwe, said the directive that stripped them of their roles was ill-informed and caused confusion.
"The existence of Registered and Approved Prospectus or peggers is recognised by the Mines Act,” Dzingwe said.
“However, this new development is very concerning, in that the Ministry of Mines has said registered surveyors will now be collecting coordinates from mining titles of which that is our prerogative.
“That is one of our roles and duties as prospectors. Nowhere in the Mining laws is it spelt out that surveyors can carry out such roles.”
Dzingwe said the ministry was ill-advised ‘in thinking that prospectors were causing mining disputes.’
- Disgruntled prospectors petition government
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“Disputes in the mining sector are caused by double allocations of mining claims, which is a creation of some corrupt Ministry of Mines officials,” he said.
“Registered mine surveyors are not in the Mines and Minerals Act as people who should be doing that job.
“Double allocations is an issue which is being caused by conflict of interests whereby mining officials are causing these disputes due to issues to do with corruption.”
“The major issue is that we are being sidelined when it comes to engagement and consultations on issues that directly affect our day to day business.”
Dzingwe said they will petition the ministry to reverse the directive.
"We are going to meet up with the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and also the Government's Chief Surveyor to iron out this issue and raise our concern," he said
