Dr
Makwiranzou
told
Senate
on
Thursday
that
the
new
law,
H.B.
1,
2025,
aims
to
end
long-standing
conflicts
between
mining
companies
and
rural
communities.
He
was
responding
to
a
question
from
Senator
Chief
Chikwaka,
who
raised
concerns
about
communities
being
displaced
by
mining
operations
without
proper
compensation
or
suitable
living
conditions.
Chief
Chikwaka
said
that
although
Zimbabwe
welcomes
foreign
mining
investors
under
the
“open
for
business”
policy,
many
villagers
are
being
relocated
to
inhospitable
areas
without
their
livelihoods
being
improved.
“We
are
glad
that
Zimbabwe
is
open
for
business…
However,
we
have
a
challenge.
What
is
government
policy
regarding
the
allocation
of
licences
where
miners
displace
local
communities?
You
find
that
people
are
just
relocated
without
improving
their
lives,”
he
said.
Dr
Makwiranzou
said
that
mining
cannot
begin
without
an
Environmental
Impact
Assessment
(EIA)
outlining
how
affected
households
will
be
compensated
or
resettled.
“Before
giving
permission
to
miners,
we
require
an
Environmental
Impact
Assessment
report,
which
looks
at
the
community
to
be
affected
and
where
they
will
be
relocated.
If
they
are
to
receive
houses,
that
must
be
shown
in
the
report.
Only
after
receiving
that
report
can
we
allow
mining
to
proceed,”
he
said.
He
added
that
under
the
new
law,
farmers
will
have
the
right
to
negotiate
for
shares
in
the
mining
company.
“The
new
law
allows
that
if
someone
has
a
field
or
farm
where
mining
is
required,
that
person
is
given
the
first
option.
They
are
asked
whether
they
agree
to
mining,
and
they
can
negotiate
with
the
investor,
including
discussing
the
allocation
of
shares,”
he
said.
Dr
Makwiranzou
emphasised
that
relocation
must
be
based
on
consent.
“They
must
give
consent
because
the
previous
law
caused
disputes
due
to
conflicts
between
the
Minerals
Act
and
the
Agricultural
Act,”
he
said.