The Zimbabwe Prospectors Union (ZPU) has made a clarion call to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to immediately digitalize the cadastre system.
This call contradicts a recent announcement by the ministry, which alerted miners to resubmit claims and concessions coordinates through registered mine surveyors.
ZPU President Dr. Samson Dzingwe stated that resubmitting coordinates is a ticking time bomb that could derail the government’s efforts to implement a digital cadastre system.
“If mines are to be resurveyed, it’s clear that mining rights will be tampered with, as certificates will be invalidated,” Dr. Dzingwe said. “Certificates with surveyed coordinates will be changed, violating mining and property rights, potentially causing some miners to lose properties.”
ZPU Urges Immediate Digitalization of Mining Cadastre System
Dr. Dzingwe urged the ministry to engage with stakeholders immediately, warning that the ministry might face a slew of court challenges. “All resolved disputes will resurface, and the mining industry should brace for chaos, crippling development and productivity,” he said.
Stakeholders have consistently called for swift action in digitalizing Zimbabwe’s cadastre system, a process that has been slow to materialize despite being on the agenda for over a decade.
The recent launch of a mining cadastre portal is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done.
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