HARARE: Zimbabwe has exported 28 840 tonnes of chrome valued at $2 million since lifting the ban on the exportation of raw chrome in June 2015. In his keynote address at the 77th Chamber of Mines Annual General Meeting and Conference in Victoria Falls last week, Mining and Mining Development Deputy Minister Fred Moyo said to date six smelting companies had been granted licences to export chrome ore. “To date 28 840 tonnes have been exported at a value of $2 040 540. Under this framework local chrome smelting companies are allowed to export raw chrome based on installed capacities,” he said.
Deputy Minister Moyo said Apple Bridge Investments has since started facilitating chrome ore exports with shipments having commenced in November 2015 following the repeal of the 20 percent chrome non-beneficiation levy by Treasury. In addition to lifting of the ban, Government also reviewed royalty fees for chrome ore to 5 percent from 2 percent while the export tax of 20 percent was removed.
Meanwhile, Government has started the process of establishing a computerised Mining Cadastre for the management of the entire mining industry throughout the value chain, that is from licensing, actual projects implementation and marketing including accounting of production by all mining and mineral entities.
A Cadastre is a parcel-based, and up-to-date land information system containing a record of interests in land (for example rights, restrictions and responsibilities). Its creation will secure a mineral rights system and record the geographical location, ownership and time validity of mining rights, and for compliance with the payment of fees and/or other requirements to keep a concession valid.
According to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, a mineral register would be the central database for storage of information on applications and licences. It is envisaged procedures will be streamlined, thereby reducing processing time for issuance of mining title and other services in line with best practice across the globe. Deputy Minister Moyo said a successful mining industry is one that is supported by a computerised management information system.
“Such an MIS will facilitate appropriate planning, co-ordination, communication, control and decision making in the ministry’s efforts to manage the country’s mineral resources. It will result in the modernisation of the mining title management system in line with regional and international best practices to provide for a faster and more efficient system which also offers security of tenure to investors,” he said. Deputy Minister Moyo said currently consultations are being done with the consultant hired for the job and work is being done to ensure that the Cadastre mining title management system becomes operational as soon as possible.
