Finalise Mines Bill: Parliament portfolio

Nokuthaba Brita Ncube, [email protected] 

THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development says the Mines Bill and Minerals Development Policy should be finalised as soon as possible to address challenges related to licensing, registration and dispute resolution.

The Bill had made its way to the President who recommended that some issues be amended resulting in fresh consultations and further alterations by Parliament and the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.

Presenting the post-budget report on pivotal discussions and key observations made by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development, the committee’s chair, Mr Remigious Matangira, highlighted that the committee was informed that more work is required to finalise the Mines Bill and the Minerals Development Policy, which have been pending for some time.

In addition, he said the finalisation of the Mines Bill will enhance productivity and revenue generation.

The Bill, which was gazetted last year, seeks to repeal the existing parent mining law by aligning it to over a decade of new national and international developments and challenges affecting the sector and its linkages throughout the value chain.

Some of the issues provided in the Bill include the recognition of artisanal and small-scale miners, resolution of the farmer-miner disputes, and environmental, health and safety issues.

Other key issues include transparency in the licensing regime of mining titles, recognition of provincial mining directors, devolution of the mining sector administration royalty, and equality and equity of mining fees across provinces, among others.

The Bill also has the potential to be a game-changer in the mining sector as it sets out commendable terms for investors seeking to exploit strategic minerals while protecting the interests of affected communities.

Earlier this year, the Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, said the outdated legislation has hindered effective regulation and management of the mining sector and increased disputes and challenges in enforcing transparency and accountability.

The mining sector is a major contributor to the economy, accounting for 13 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing over 50 000 people.