Towards an inclusive and equitable US$12 billion mining industry anchored on sustainable mineral resource management

From the 30th of September to the 2nd of October 2020, the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) and Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) will co-host the 9th edition of the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI). The Indaba which will run under the theme, Towards an inclusive and equitable […]

 Transparency & Accountability:Why it became an important research & advocacy issue in the mining sector 

By Mutuso Dhliwayo-Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association Transparency and accountability is important for a number of reasons.  Firstly, the mineral resources belong to the people.  The state and the bodies that administers minerals like the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation and the Minerals Marketing Corporation among others, are doing so […]

Towards a formalised Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) sector in Zimbabwe: What to consider and why?

By Joshua Machinga-Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association Background Transparent, equitable and optimal exploitation of mineral resources to underpin broad-based sustainable growth and socio-economic development is what is envisioned by the African Mining Vision. Formalisation is also given great prominence and the Vision clearly lays out the aspect of a  mining sector that harnesses the potential of […]

ZELA Press Statement: Slow pace of search, rescue and recovery efforts for trapped Task Mine artisanal miners disturbing

Date of Issue: 26 September 2020 Harare- The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) notes with concern the slow and poorly coordinated search, rescue or recovery efforts of five artisanal miners trapped underground at Task Mine in Chegutu. This disaster follows several others in the last two years that claimed young lives and people seeking to […]

Transparency and Accountability: Why it became an important Research and Advocacy Issue in the mining sector

Compiled by Mutuso Dhliwayo -Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association Introduction Zimbabwe is a country that is endowed with a significant mineral resource base, which has resulted in it being called the “ Persian Gulf of Minerals”.  The Zimbabwe Geological Survey of 1990 lists Zimbabwe as having no fewer than 66 base and industrial mineral deposits. Of […]

The Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association(ZELA) files a case against #Chinese miners

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ZIMBABWE                                                                              CASENO.HC                                                                                    /20 HELD AT HARARE In the matter between: FIDELIS CHIMA                                                                    1ST APPLICANT ZIMBABWE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ASSOCIATION 2ND APPLICANT And ZIMBABWE ZHONGXIN MINING GROUP TONGMAO COAL COMPANY (PVT) LTD                 1ST RESPONDENT And ZIMBABWE MINING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION                                                             2ND RESPONDENT And MINISTER OF MINES & MINING DEVELOPMENT                                                             3RD RESPONDENT And ENVIRONMENTAL […]

Unpacking the Forest Amendment Bill

Compiled by Mutuso Dhliwayo-Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association Background and Introduction The forestry sector is a very important in Zimbabwe’s economy. Among the services it provides are timber, fuelwood, wood for charcoal-making and crafts, fodder, fruit, honey, medicinal plants, mushrooms, insects, bark, leaves and poles. Forest land also provides valuable protection for watersheds and wildlife habitat […]

ZCDC’s publication of its annual reports commendable

Compiled by Fadzai Lydia Midzi and Tafara Chiremba It is commendable to note that the State Owned Enterprise (SOE), Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) has published its annual reports online for the years; 2016, 2017 and 2018[1]. Such a transparency step should also be adopted by other mining companies operating in Zimbabwe. The Marange diamond […]

Will what belongs to Caesar be finally rendered, to ensure communities benefit from Marange diamonds?

By Fadzai Lydia Midzi Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association Introduction Mining communities in Zimbabwe mostly feel short-changed when it comes to benefiting from mining activities. This is a matter which goes beyond the social license to operate, a rights-based lens must be applied.  In terms of Section 13 (4) of the Zimbabwean Constitution on national development, […]