Biti blasts govt for illegal parcelling of mining claims

HARARE – Mines and Mining Development minister Winston Chitando has been summoned to parliament by Harare East lawmaker Tendai Biti to answer questions about specific mining leases that have been issued since 2018.

Biti raised an issue of national concern in parliament this week, saying Chitando needed to explain why special mining leases were given to people with no money and proper procedures being followed.

“I rise on a point of national interest which pertains to the issue of special mining leases which are provided for under the Mines and Minerals Act, Chapter 21:03,” he said.

“These special mining leases in terms of Section 139 say these are huge investments that require a lot of money, say a minimum of US$100 million but you find that these special mining leases are now being granted to people that do not have money. They are now being distributed like cakes at a wedding,” he added.

“I am talking of the platinum leases like the one given to the Russian company, GDI which has stopped operating at the moment. These special mining leases are now too numerous. Another example is that of Manhize in Chivhu where there is mining of iron ore,” Biti said.