Zimbabwe’s monthly gold deliveries are expected to decrease by almost half of the usual two tonnes due to protests by artisanal and small-scale miners against the government’s recent policy change. Previously, these miners were receiving 100% of their payments in hard currency, but now they are required to receive 75% in US dollars and the remaining amount in Zimbabwe’s currency.
The policy change is believed to be an attempt by the government to raise civil service bonuses. Artisanal and small-scale miners, also known as Makorokoza/Amakorokoza, contribute about 60% of the country’s gold output.
According to sources at the government-owned Fidelity Gold Refinery, gold deliveries have been slow and have not exceeded one tonne with only 14 days left in the month.
Although the country has been facing economic difficulties for the past decade, the payment of bonuses to civil servants usually takes place in November. An anonymous source told NewZimbabwe:
<blockquote>
The situation is not looking good, deliveries have considerably gone down and this will definitely have an impact on the national purse. 
 We hear this was meant to raise money to pay civil servants’ bonuses but from what we are seeing the plan is backfiring. Artisanal miners have virtually stopped deliveries because they feel government should have communicated or discussed with them. 
 Most of them rarely use the local currency, they do not have bank accounts or use RTGS transfer platforms, they only know US dollars.
</blockquote>
During a parliamentary session, Mines Deputy Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Polite_Kambamura/">Polite Kambamura</a> addressed concerns regarding the payment of artisanal miners. He stated that mobile gold buying units have been introduced by Fidelity Printers to enable miners in remote areas to sell their gold legally. Moreover, licenses are being issued to private buyers to purchase gold directly from mining areas. However, artisanal miners claim that they have not received the promised 25% payment.
Gold is one of the major sources of foreign currency for Zimbabwe. Usually, mining activities slow down during the first and fourth quarters of the year because of rainy seasons. The rain increases the risk of landslides and mine collapses, which can be dangerous for miners.
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Zimbabwe's Monthly Gold Deliveries Expected To Decrease By Almost Half

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation has confirmed the collapse of the Bayhorse Mine in Chakari, Chegutu, where approximately 42 people are believed to be trapped. So far, five individuals have been rescued.
The ZMF has dispatched its Secretary General and the Chairman of the Chegutu Miners Association to assess the situation and provide updates on the ongoing rescue operations. In a statement seen by Pindula News, the association said:
<blockquote>
Name of mine: Bayhorse
Location: Chakari Chegutu
Affiliate: ZMF Chegutu Miners Association Mine
Owner: Sigauke T
<h3>SUBJECT: MINE COLLAPSE AT BAYHOSE IN CHEGUTU (CHAKARI)</h3>
There has been a collapse of a mine shaft at one of our ZMF members’ mine.
It is believed that about 42 people are still trapped underground and 5 have been rescued so far. We have since tasked our ZMF Secretary General and Chegutu Miners Association Chairman to go and establish the true facts on the ground and we shall keep you appraised of the rescue operations by the relevant teams.
Let us be patient and wait for all official communication to come from ZRP, Ministry of Mines and other Government arms.
</blockquote>
There have been reports that up to 30 people may have lost their lives in the collapse. The community in Chakari has criticised mine guards for obstructing rescue efforts by artisanal miners, stating that more lives could have been saved. Community members told journalist Owen Matava that rescue efforts were still to be conducted as of 8 p.m. on Friday.
According to Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Polite Kambamura, a government team assessed the situation and confirmed that a mine collapse occurred at around 10 a.m. The team also established that 34 miners were trapped underground, with 13 managing to escape. Unfortunately, there are concerns that the remaining 21 individuals may have lost their lives.
According to iHarare, six bodies had been recovered as of Friday evening, and rescue operations were ongoing to save the remaining 15 trapped miners.
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42 Trapped In Bayhorse Mine Collapse In Chakari, Chegutu

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed three more deputy ministers.
In a statement, Acting Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya, said the three were appointed in terms of Subsection 2 of Section 104 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
The three deputy ministers are Polite Kambamura (Mines and Mining Development), Chido Sanyatwe (Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, and Roy Bhila (Industry and Commerce).
Kambamura is the MP for Sanyati and was Deputy Mines Minister during Mnangagwa’s first term in office. He now deputises Zhemu Soda who was moved from Energy and Power Development to Mines in the new Cabinet.
Sanyatwe is the MP for Nyanga North and also the wife to Zimbabwe ambassador to Tanzania and former Presidential Guard commander, Anselem Sanyatwe.
Bhila is Chiredzi North MP and the secretary-general of the Commercial Sugarcane Farmers Association (CFAZ).
On Thursday, three Deputy Ministers were sworn in at the State House. The three are:
<ul>
<li>Deputy Minister for Youth Empowerment Development and Vocational Training Kudakwashe Mupamhanga</li>
<li>Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Joshua Sacco</li>
<li>Deputy Minister for Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation and Science and Technology Development Simelisizwe Sibanda.</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Mnangagwa Appoints 3 More Deputy Ministers; Sanyatwe, Kambamura & Bhila

Police in Sanyati have issued a warrant of arrest for Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Polite Kambamura, who is also the local MP (ZANU PF).
Kambamura allegedly mobilised youths to attack party rivals holding a meeting at Nyimo business centre on Thursday.
Several ZANU officials were injured in the violence when rowdy youths ran amok and attacked district chairpersons from ARDA, Rusvingo and Nyaunde.
<a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200007949/warrant-of-arrest-for-mp-after-militia-attack-on-rivals">NewsDay</a> reported a police officer who declined to be named as saying three people have been arrested in connection with the violence and Kambamura and one William Pariyangiwa are yet to be arrested. Said the police officer:
<blockquote>
Three people namely, Enock Chimombe, Sithabile Bhebhe, and Joseph Siampongo have been arrested for public violence and have been transferred to Kadoma Law and Order section. They will appear in court soon.
The outstanding two who are yet to be arrested are Polite Kambamura and William Pariyangiwa.
</blockquote>
The complainant in the case is ZANU PF ARDA district chairperson Sylvester Mhirizhonga, who reported the case under RRB5413524. He said:
<blockquote>
I can confirm that three people who were part of a gang that beat us yesterday have been arrested. They were picked up by police in the morning.
</blockquote>
National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said he was unaware of the matter.
It is alleged that the violent youths were hired under instruction to beat up ZANU PF district chairpersons perceived as blocking Kambamura’s re-election bid.
Kambamura told NewsDay on Thursday that he was in Sanyati, but had not witnessed the violence.

Warrant Of Arrest For ZANU PF MP After Intra-party Violence Rocks Sanyati | Report

Mines and Mining Development Minister and Sanyati MP, Polite Kambamura has been accused of hiring a militia to violently disrupt a ZANU PF meeting on Thursday.
The violence erupted at a ZANU PF cell inter-district meeting at Nyimo business centre in Sanyati constituency.
The case was reported to the police under RRB5413524.
The hired youth militia was reportedly under instruction to beat up ZANU PF district chairpersons from ARDA, Rusvingo and Nyaunde, perceived as blocking Kambamura’s re-election bid.
ZANU PF ARDA district chairperson Sylvester Mhirizhonga, who was one of the victims, told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200007878/zanu-pf-mp-hires-militia-to-disrupt-party-meeting">NewsDay</a> that they reported the case to the police.
ZANU PF Rusvingo district chair Joseph Takasungwa claimed that Kambamura came with a truckload of thugs to cause violence. He said:
<blockquote>
The Member of Parliament came with a hired crowd that beat up people, including me.
</blockquote>
Nyaunde district chair Kudakwashe Gwatinyanya said he lost a tooth during the melee and needed medical attention.
ZANU PF Mashonaland West provincial member Tawanda Tachiona also claimed that Kambamura had sent people to assault party leaders in Sanyati. He said:
<blockquote>
We witnessed district party leaders being beaten up. We are taking those injured to Sanyati Hospital.
</blockquote>
Kambamura, however, distanced himself from the skirmishes, saying “Yes, I am in Sanyati, but never witnessed that”.

ZANU PF Hires MP To Disrupt Party Meeting | Report

The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has accused miners of hiding mineral discoveries and fleecing the economy of billions of dollars.
The government has now introduced stringent measures and frequent inspections including a ban on the issuance of mining titles until further notice for diamonds, copper, lithium, nickel and rare earth minerals citing an unusual increase in applications for claims.
The ministry had found that some miners have not been declaring the discovery of different minerals at their mines, NewsDay reported citing an internal circular penned by Mines ministry secretary Pfungwa Kunaka and addressed to 10 directors in government departments.
The circular was also copied to Mines minister Winston Chitando. Reads the circular dated December 19, 2022:
<blockquote>
This non-declaration has led to prejudice to the growth of the mining sector economy as in some instances high value minerals are involved.
Accordingly, you are hereby directed to ensure that on applications for inspection certificates, the applicants submit a declaration of the amount of work carried out as well as a declaration of minerals contained in the ore body being mined. This should be backed by an assay certificate issued by an approved laboratory.
Further, we have of late seen a flooding of applications for mining titles for minerals which have been deemed strategic in the upcoming Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill. It has thus become necessary that in the national interest, we temporarily stop acceptance and processing of applications for mining titles for the following minerals until further notice: diamonds, copper, lithium, nickel (and) rare earth minerals.
</blockquote>
Kunaka said frequent inspections would be done, while officials would be required to submit monthly reports effective from December 19, 2022.
Mines deputy minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Polite_Kambamura">Polite Kambura</a> said the decision on diamonds, nickel, copper, lithium and rare earth minerals was in line with the government’s long-term strategy to have State control in the exploitation of the minerals.
On Tuesday, the government announced through Statutory Instrument 213 of 2022, cited as the Base Minerals Export Control (Unbeneficiated Lithium Bearing Ores) Order, 2022, <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zimbabwe-bans-export-of-raw-lithium/">that the export of raw lithium has been banned.</a>
The move is meant to encourage the exportation of beneficiated products.
Zimbabwe is estimated to hold Africa’s largest lithium reserves and is the fifth largest in the world.
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Govt Accuses Miners Of Hiding Mineral Discoveries, Fleecing The Economy Of Billions Of Dollars

The government of Zimbabwe has begun cancelling gold mining licences owned by companies that are failing to utilise their claims.
This comes amid reports that a local mining company is sitting on 6 500 gold claims, which are underutilised.
The mining claims could be given to small-scale miners, <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200004949/govt-repossesses-idle-gold-claims">NewsDay</a> reported citing Mines deputy minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Polite_Kambamura">Polite Kambamura</a>.
Addressing small-scale miners over the weekend during the launch of the Miners for Economic Development (ED) Mashonaland West chapter at Golden Valley in Kadoma, Kambamura said: 
<blockquote>
We have started cancelling EPOs (exclusive prospecting orders) and we started with Matabeleland North where we have cancelled many. We are yet to come here in Mashonaland West, but we will be going to all provinces. We have a company sitting on 6 500 gold claims. We will use the ‘use it or lose it’ principle as we have discovered that people with EPOs are not really doing anything, but they are holding the areas for selfish reasons. In future, we are going to cancel EPOs if those companies go for six months without providing exploration reports.
</blockquote>
Kambamura refused to disclose the name of the company sitting on 6 500 claims.
In 2019, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said there were companies that <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/zimbabwes-mining-sector-raked-in-us6-billion-since-january-mines-minister-chitando/">had been holding on to mining claims for more than 100 years</a>, thereby denying new players an opportunity to venture into the mining sector. 
The mining sector is one of Zimbabwe’s major revenue generators.
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