The minister was responding to this newspaper’s questions on reports of cases in which Chinese companies mining in the province have been accused of operating outside the law and exploiting locals through long working hours for paltry wages.
The Chinese have also been accused of paying raw chrome prices below market rates from small-scale miners while failing to rehabilitate environmental land damage in communities where they operate.
Recently China-Zim International Corporation’s chrome mining plant in Mberengwa was shut down following discoveries that the firm flouted regulations that should have been fulfilled before any operation on the ground was made.
In Shurugwi and Zvishavane Chinese-owned chrome mining firms like Zimasco have also come under fire from traditional leaders for failing to operate within the precincts of the law and for causing land degradation.
“Last year I made a tour in the Midlands province and realised that our Chinese fellows are oppressing locals in their chrome plants. I also realised that most of them operate illegally. The message I have for all those doing that is that they should either shape up or ship out,” said Chimanikire.
Chimanikire said the new mining policy would help stem the abuse and ill-practices by the Chinese.
“We are drafting a mining policy and soon cabinet will endorse it. We tried to gather views of stakeholders around the country. That is going to be a starting point in forcing the Chinese to toe the line,” said Chimanikire.
He also revealed that a state-of-the-art chrome smelting plant is being built in Chegutu, a development that should give solace to small miners who are being subjected to raw deals by Chinese who are taking advantage of the export ban on the raw chrome.
“The Chegutu firm under construction has assured us that it will use international rates in the purchase of raw chrome. That should help small-scale miners who are complaining about prices of Chinese companies like ZIMASCO,” said Chimanikire.
Post published in: News