The Survey of Mining Companies 2010/201, compiled by the Fraser Institute, a Canadian public policy think-tank, is based on the opinions of mining executives of 494 mineral exploration and development companies representing the investment climate of 79 jurisdictions around the world and the report, in its 14th year, is aimed at giving governments a chance to compare global competitiveness.
Although there has been some improvement in Botswana, Africas average score has not improved for the fourth year running, having gone down to 40.5 from 41.8 points four years ago.
Zimbabwe came last out of 13 polled African countries in all departments.
Zimbabwes decline, which saw it drop eight places to occupy last position in the Policy Potential Index (PPI) after ranking 71st in the last result, can be linked to its controversial Indigenisation laws.
The countrys political uncertainty, brought about by gross human rights abuses by Mugabe, who has vowed that he will not step down even if he loses the next elections, lack of respect for the rule of law and uncertainty over property rights can also be linked to the embarrassing decline, which will most likely go unnoticed by the Mugabe-led administration.
Other African countries included in the survey are Botswana, Burkina Faso, DRC, Ghana Guinea (Conakry), Madagascar, Mali, Namibia, Niger, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia, 12 of which ranked above Zimbabwe.
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