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Cletus Mushanawani Mutare Bureau
Full mining operations have been restored at Chiadzwa diamond fields in Marange following Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) Private Limited’s full compliance with the requirements of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).

The company was recently ordered by High Court Judge Justice David Mungota to stop all mining operations until it was granted an Environmental Impact Assessment.

The High Court order came after ZCDC was dragged to court by community lobby group, Marange Development Trust (MDT), supported by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA).

MDT filed a court application in February this year seeking a court interdict to stop ZCDC from operating without an EIA as prescribed by law.

ZCDC chief executive officer Dr Moris Mpofu said: “Following full compliance with the requirements of EMA, the Environment Impact Assessment certificate was issued.

“ZCDC will with immediate effect start its mining operations and switch on the plants to start diamond recoveries for the benefit of the nation.”

Dr Mpofu said the firm’s dividend policy allocated a percentage of profits towards Marange-Zimunya Community Share Ownership Trust. He said ZCDC was in the process of transitioning from an alluvial to a conglomerate based mining model.

“We are currently focusing on the necessary civil, mechanical and electrical construction works in preparation for conglomerate mining and processing,” he said.

“Conglomerate and Kimberlite mining and processing is the future for diamond mining in Zimbabwe. The recent developments (High Court ruling) have minimal disruption to the programme of works.

“Mitigatory measures are also in place to minimise the impact of the disruption to the operations, while the EIA certificate is being finalised.”

ZCDC has since beefed up security at the diamond fields through the introduction of unmanned aerial surveillance equipment such as drones.

“ZCDC has put in place measures to ensure that access into the diamond fields is controlled and prevented,” said Dr Mpofu.