Ministry of Mines and Mining Development
Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is a Ministry in the Government of Zimbabwe responsible for the administration of the Mines and Minerals Act (Chapter 21:05) of Zimbabwe. The minister responsible for the portfolio was Winston Chitando after 2018.
History
In 1987, Richard Hove was the minister of Mines. It co-ordinated mining activities, especially mineral development and exploration export, marketing, mining engineering, geology and metallurgy. [1]
Following the 23-24 August 2023 elections, President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced his new cabinet on 11 September 2023. The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development was Soda Zhemu. The Previous Minister was Winston Chitando.
Background
Since 2018, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development was responsible for the administration of the Mines and Minerals Act (Chapter 21:05) of Zimbabwe. They formulate, monitor and evaluate implementation of mining development policies which are geared to effectively account for the country's mineral resources for the benefit of every Zimbabwean.[2]
Vision
To be the provider of a world class mining environment for the benefit of Zimbabwe by 2020.
Mission
To promote sustainable exploration, mining, processing marketing and management of mineral resources for the benefit of all Zimbabweans.
Team
- Minister - Winston Chitando
- Deputy Minister - Polite Kambamura
- Permanent Secretary - Onesimo Moyo
Economic Contribution
Zimbabwe's mining industry is focussed on a diverse range of small to medium mining operations. The most important minerals produced by Zimbabwe include gold, asbestos, chromite, coal and base metals. The mining industry contributes approximately 8% towards the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
What regulates mining law?
Mining law is principally regulated in terms of the Mines and Minerals Act (Chapter 21:05) and the regulations made in terms of that Act. These include:
- the Mining (General) Regulations
- the Mining (Management and Safety) Regulations
- the Mining (Health and Sanitation) Regulations, and
- the Mines and Minerals (Custom Milling Plants) Regulations.
Another key piece of legislation in the regulation of Mining Law is the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27)
Which Government body/ies administer the mining industry?
The Mines and Minerals Act, the Minerals Corporation of Zimbabwe Act (Chapter 21:04), the Gold Trade Act (Chapter 21:03), the Precious Stones Act (Chapter 21:06), the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe Incorporation (Private) Act (Chapter 21:02), the Base Minerals Export Control Act (Chapter 21:01) and the Environmental Management Act, establish a number of bodies and functionaries administering various aspect of the mining industry. These include:
- The President of the country. He has certain responsibilities reserved for him in the granting and withdrawal of certain mining rights especially relating to coal, oil and gas.
- The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development. The Minister and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry have various responsibilities that they perform in the Mining Industry.
- The Mining Affairs Board, which is responsible for the granting or certain mining rights and the withdrawal of same and the approval of certain agreements and transactions.
- Mining Commissioners, who are now being referred to as Provncial Mining Directors. The Mines and Minerals Act has not yet been amended to record the change in title
- The Environmental Management Authority, which is responsible for granting the environmental impact assessment certificates before mining projects can commence.
- The Chamber of Mines, which represents the interests of the Mining Industry.
- The National Employment Council for the Mining Industry, which deals with employment and related matters in the miming industry
- The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), which is responsible for the marketing of minerals in Zimbabwe.[3]
Functions
- Formulating mining development policies;
- Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of mining development policies;
- Designing mechanisms geared at effective accounting for the country’s mineral resources;
- Administering and reviewing mining laws;
- Attracting investment in the mining industry;
- Promoting the beneficiation of mineral resources;
- Exploring, developing and beneficiating coal bed methane;
- Promoting and developing small-scale mining;
- Facilitating the indigenization of the mining sector;
- Supervising and coordinating mining parastatals and State Enterprises.
Contact
- 6th Floor, ZIMRE Centre, Cnr L.Takawira St/ K. Nkrumah Ave, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Telephone: (263) 242 777022 - (263) 242 777029
- Email: mmmd@mines.gov.zw
- Website: http://www.mines.gov.zw/
