Dr Thomas Utete Wushe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has commenced nationwide blitz inspections of alluvial chrome mining operations and processing plants to ensure compliance with mining laws.
The inspections, which started on September 25, (last month) are being conducted in phases, with the first phase covering Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Midlands Provinces before being extended to others.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Thomas Utete Wushe, said the inspections were aimed at enforcing compliance with mining laws.
Dr Wushe said under Section 222 of the Mines and Minerals Act (Chapter 21:05), chromite is a designated mineral and no person may work its alluvial or eluvial deposit without a Mining Affairs Board order under Section 225.
“Non-compliant operations face suspension and penalties. Processing plants will also be inspected for regulatory compliance,” Dr Wushe said.
The ministry has encouraged members of the public to report suspected illegal alluvial chrome mining activities to the ministry through the toll-free number 08004577, email address askminister@mines.gov.zw or the relevant Provincial Mining Director.
Meanwhile, the ministry has also given all mining rights holders, regardless of scale, until December 31, 2026, to regularise their mining rights and meet outstanding statutory obligations.
In a separate statement issued on September 30, Dr Wushe directed mining rights holders to engage their respective Provincial Mining Offices without delay.
They are also required to settle all outstanding statutory obligations or obtain an approved payment plan, secure surveyed coordinates and complete all outstanding regularisation requirements.
Mining rights holders have further been urged to submit and finalise their regularisation applications well before the December deadline.
Dr Wushe warned that failure to regularise mining rights by December 31, 2026, would result in forfeiture and/or other enforcement action in accordance with the Mines and Minerals Act.
