MASVINGO – Villagers in Bikita have petitioned Mines and Mining Development minister, Obert Mpofu following the discovery of diamonds in Devuli Ranch demanding transparency in the allocation of mining licences.
BY TATENDA CHITAGU
They are also demanding that local communities benefit from the gems.
The discovery of the diamonds has led to a rush that saw scores of illegal miners besieging Budzi communal lands in Bikita in search of the precious mineral. Police last week had to remove the miners from the area.
A Chinese mining company, Nan Jian Africa Resources, is already mining in the area but reports say the company has not secured a licence.
In a petition dated March 15 2013, the villagers demanded to be consulted by government on all issues regarding the mining of the gems in their area.
“We remain gravely concerned that there has been inadequate public information over and about the discovery of diamond deposits in the Bikita district and hereby request that the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development urgently furnish members of the public, particularly residents of Bikita district as well as oversight organs of the state (such as the Parliament of Zimbabwe through its Parliamentary Portfolio committee on Mines and Minerals Development) with full and official information as to the nature and extent of the diamond discovery,” reads part of the petition.
The villagers said the Mines ministry must also publicly show, through widespread consultation in the district, any plans it has over the licensing of mining operators in the area, as well as the clear pre-requisites of the awarding of the licences.
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“The prioritisation and contractual obligation of the winning mining concern to provide first priority to the residents of Bikita where and when considering applications for employment at the diamond mine,” says the petition.
The residents also want the mining companies to implement environmental rehabilitation during and after the mining operations.
“It is our hope that the Minister of Mines and Mining Development will find our submissions to have been made in good faith and in tandem with what we view as best practice given the context of Bikita and other communal areas in Zimbabwe,” reads the petition.
Villagers also said they should be given first priority in getting jobs at the mining concern.
The people from the area that have signed the petition include MDC-T MP Sessel Zvidzai, National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) spokesperson Madock Chivasa and Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) executive director, Takura Zhangazha.
Mpofu could not be reached for comment yesterday.
VILLAGERS DEMAND COMPENSATION VILLAGERS in Bikita are demanding compensation for those who may be displaced to pave way for the mining activities.
Part of the A reads: “There should be full payment for any relocation of residents of the directly affected areas of Bikita district within the vicinity of the mining operation and the construction of modern housing for all of those affected by relocation.”
They are also demanding the development of schools, hospitals, roads, as well as the setting up of a vocational training college on natural sciences, business, the humanities and minerals processing within two years of commencement of full mining operations.
Four kimberlitic pipes rich in diamonds were recently discovered in the area by a Chinese mining company, Nan Jian Africa Resources.
