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Cde Fred Moyo

Herald Reporters
Government has decentralised mining districts and is set to open offices in eight provincial capitals in order to meet service demand and enhance monitoring and surveillance of mining activities countrywide.This comes in the wake of the proliferation of mining activities all over the country. Previously, mining districts were only in Harare, Kadoma, Gweru, Bulawayo and Masvingo and people had to travel for long distances to access services.

Addressing journalists at a Press conference in Harare yesterday, Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Freddy Moyo said Government also abolished the posts of chief mining commissioner, mining commissioners and assistant mining commissioners in line with the ministry’s new structure.

He said the restructuring was expected to accelerate revenue inflows into the fiscus and to ensure staff with relevant technical qualifications man the provincial offices.

“The five mining districts have been decentralised to eight mining provinces as per eight rural administrative provinces to be headquartered at the eight provincial capitals — Bindura, Marondera, Mutare, Chinhoyi, Masvingo, Gwanda, Lupane and Gweru,” Cde Moyo said.

He said any mining activities in Harare and Bulawayo now fell under Mashonaland East and Matabeleland North mining provinces respectively.

Cde Moyo said the mining provinces would be headed by provincial mining directors supported by deputy mining directors for Geology, Metallurgy, Mining Engineering Promotion and Development.

In addition, he said, Government also abolished the Department of Mining Law Administration which was responsible for mining management and created two other departments – Mining Research and Value Addition.

Cde Moyo said the latest structure was approved by Cabinet and also by the Civil Service Commission.

He said the Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Ministry had been engaged to provide offices and accommodation in the various provinces.