Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet

Today is the World Wildlife Day which is also running concurrently with the 2021 Africa Environment Day/ Wangari Mathaai Day. The Wildlife Day is being celebrated under the theme “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet.”  The day puts on the spotlight the central role of forests, forest species and ecosystem services in sustaining the […]

ZELA’s Analysis of Great Dyke Investment ‘s 5 Year Income Tax Exemption

26 February 2021 Introduction On the 27th of January 2021, the Government through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development granted a 5-year tax exemption to Great Dyke Investments (GDI) through a Statutory Instrument 26/2021[1] cited as Income Tax (Exemption from Income Tax) (Great Dyke Investments (Private) Limited) Notice, 2021, effective from 1 January 2021. The move […]

Call for Consultancy

Terms of Reference (TOR): Assessment of Tributary Agreements in the ASM Sector in Zimbabwe.   Deadline: 28 February 2021 Introduction and Background The artisanal and small-scale mining sector (ASM) is an indispensable source of livelihood for mineral rich communities in the country. However, most miners in these communities operate in informal mining arrangements characterised by […]

Terms of reference:Access to Justice Volunteer- Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association

Deadline: 1 March 2021 Background The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) is a premier public interest environmental law organisation which seeks to promote environmental justice, sustainable and equitable use of natural resources, democracy and good governance in the natural resources and environment sector. ZELA’s work is mainly anchored on a core group of rights which are […]

Call for Consultancy

Terms of Reference (TOR): Assessment of Tributary Agreements in the ASM Sector in Zimbabwe.   Deadline: 28 February 2021 Introduction and Background The artisanal and small-scale mining sector (ASM) is an indispensable source of livelihood for mineral rich communities in the country. However, most miners in these communities operate in informal mining arrangements characterised by […]

Prohibitive Mining licencing fees a “back-stab” to sustainable mining development

Prohibitive Mining licencing fees a “back-stab” to sustainable mining development Introduction and Background The Minister of Mines and Mining Development has in terms of section 403 of the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05] increased mining fees by over 800 percent quoting the fees in United States dollars[1] but payable at the prevailing exchange rate.  […]

PRESS RELEASE: Zimbabwe Civil Society Calls for Transparency in the Granting of Tax Incentives in the Platinum Sector

At a time when the country is extending a begging bowl to procure COVID-19 vaccines, the government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) is awarding tax holidays to extractive companies. The government recently granted a five-year tax holiday to Great Dyke Investments, a platinum mine operation. This is particularly concerning because the mining sector is a key contributor […]

Climate change and disaster management in Zimbabwe

Compiled by Michelle Matsvaire, Rodrick Moyo and Byron Zamasiya-Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association Zimbabwe was hit by another cyclone in January 2021 at a time when the country was taking stock of the damage by cyclone Chalane. Cyclone Eloise reached Zimbabwe after weakening into a tropical storm. Prior to its arrival, the Civil Protection Unit and […]

Transitional minerals in Southern Africa: Are companies getting it right?

With the increasing demand for critical minerals in renewable energy such as lithium, cobalt, copper, and nickel, companies are ever racing to produce the technology needed to support the low-carbon transition, from electric vehicles to solar panels to wind turbines. However, the companies’ human rights due diligence is not keeping pace with expanding exploration, increasing […]