Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has approached Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando, who is also the patron of the organisation, over the recently gazetted mining fees which it says are exorbitant.
In a memorandum addressed to ZMF affiliate associations and all stakeholders dated 18 February 2021, ZMF president Henrietta Rushwaya said the new fees are too prohibitive for the miners and this may push some of them to venture into illegal mining activities. She said:
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has noted with concern the newly gazetted prices in accordance with Statutory Instrument (SI) 44 of 2021.
We are treating the matter with utmost urgency and have started engaging The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.
The fees are too prohibitive for the majority of our miners and are likely to lead to forfeitures and forcing them into illegal mining activities.
Kindly bear with us as we seek redress from our Minister and Patron Honourable Winston Chitando for a temporary reprieve until an amicable solution is reached.
According to Statutory Instrument (SI) 44 Of 2021, an application for revocation of forfeiture now costs US$ 1 000 while an application for an EPO (Non-refundable) now costs US$2 000.
Download Statutory Instrument 44 of 2021 for more on the new mining fees here (PDF).
