Zvamaida Murwira and Kuda Bwititi in Bubi
THE Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has reversed a decision to increase fees for small-scale miners as Government moves in to implement a raft of measures to reform the sector. This comes after the ministry hiked mining registration and

royalty fees by up to 5 000 percent earlier this year, sparking an outcry from stakeholders in the sector.
Speaking during the launch of the Mining Industry Loan Fund at Cecil Mine in Bubi District, Matabeleland North Province yesterday, Mines and Mining Development

Minister Dr Obert Mpofu said the review of the mining fees will be directed at small-scale miners.
He said Government was going to announce the new fees soon.

“The ministry has taken a position to reduce all mining fees, especially for small-scale miners, to make it easier for them to carry out their operations. We have listened to what the small-scale miners have said on the mining fees and we have acted promptly because mining is now the backbone of the economy so we need to protect the sector and ensure that we get maximum benefits,” he said.

Dr Mpofu said Government was in the process of formulating new measures to ensure that small-scale miners operated without facing too many hassles.
“Our laws are too harsh. Most of our gold is going to South Africa and we are losing out because of the tough laws that we are putting against our own people . . . We are going to have a re-look at all the processes that make it difficult for small-scale miners and come up with new ideas that will be legislated,” he said.