Inconsistencies in local authorities taxing regimes impacting miners

SMALL scale miners have decried the inconsistencies in the Rural District Councils (RDC) taxing regimes saying it has grossly impacted their operations.

Speaking after paying a courtesy call to new minister of Mines, Zhemu Soda, the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president Henrieta Rushwaya said rural councils should come up with a two tier taxing systems to avoid the discrepancies.

“The inconsistencies in the RDC taxing regimes have grossly impacted our miners. RDC’s need uniformity and need to come up with a two-tier taxing regime instead of a one size fits all,” she said.

New minister of Mines Zhemu Soda with the Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Henrieta Rushwaya

Rushwaya further lamented the delay in the issuance of mining certificates by the government saying this was a source of claims’ for ownership wrangles.

“Delays in the issuance of mining certificates. This has resulted in unwarranted disputes due to double and over pegging. Some miners are yet to get their certificates dating back to 2017-2023. Mashonaland West is the worst affected followed by Mashonaland Central.

“As artisanal and small-scale miners’ representative body, we request the Mines ministry to send a back-up team to help expedite the process. Our potential miners are now treated as illegal miners due to these delays” she said.

“Exclusive prospecting orders which are being applied for speculative purposes and are now adversely affecting our miners. We presented to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as a plea regarding this matter and we appeal to relevant authorities to consider making our request a priority.

She further said stakeholders in the mining sector and the ministry officials would next week embark on a nationwide tour to assess situations affecting the mining industry.

“After next week’s meeting with the Mines ministry officials, ZMF officials and other stakeholders will embark on a nationwide tour addressing issues affecting our miners and donating equipment and acquired mining claims to our syndicates.

On chrome the issue of pricing and introduction of hubs was emphasised on. The need for an urgent gemstone policy was also mentioned since the government is losing out on revenue through leakages without a clear policy” she said.