Mines Act must change: Mutambara

The Mines and Minerals Act should be amended to ensure that locals benefit from the exploitation of natural resources, Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara recently said.

Deputy Prime Minister Arthur  Mutambara.
Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara.

Mutambara, who made a surprise appearance at the launch of Zimunya Marange Share Ownership Trust at Gomorefu High school here, said the government was working towards changing the law as it had given unfair advantage to foreign investors.

“We should change our laws because they favour investors at the expense of locals,” said Mutambara. “Our country is blessed with vast minerals such as diamonds, gold and platinum. If we have all these minerals, why are we poor? Here in Chiadzwa, we have 25 percent of the world`s diamond deposits, so why are we still poor?”

He added that there was need for value addition and beneficiation of minerals before exportation.

“We don’t want our minerals to export raw. Value addition and beneficiation is our top priority.”

Post published in: Business

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