(NEWZIMBABWE) ACR mining license cancelled

ACR mining license cancelled
Mutsawashe Makuvise
Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:42:00 +0000

THE Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has cancelled a diamond mining license held by U.K.-based African Consolidated Resources Plc., the Zimbabwe Guardian has learnt. At least four other miners have also had their licenses cancelled and can no longer mine in the Marange diamond fields.

Companies partnering with the state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corp. can, however, continue mining. That includes Mbada Mining, a joint venture between ZMDC and Grandwell Holdings Limited, owned by South Africa’s New Reclamation Group Ltd and Canadile Miners (Private) Limited.

The Zimbabwe government seized mining claims owned by African Consolidated in October 2006.

In letters dated December 8, the Manicaland Mining Commissioner notified Dashaloo Investments, Possession Investments, Olebile Investments and Heavy Staff Investments, including African Consolidated Resources (ACR), of the intention to cancel their certificates of registration as the sites covered by the registrations are an area that was reserved by the Government in February 2004.

“The grounds upon which the Certificates of Registration are being cancelled are as recorded in Section 50 (1) (a) of the Mines and Minerals Act (Chapter 21.05).

“I am satisfied that at the time that the blocks or sites covered by the Certificate of Registration were pegged, they were and still are situated on the ground reserved against prospecting and pegging order under Section 35 of the Act...

“You are, in accordance with the provisions of Section 50 (2) of the Act, entitled at any time before the proposed date of cancellation of the Certificate of Registration, to appeal in writing to the Minister of Mines and Mining Development against such cancellation,” read the letter from the Mining Commissioner.

The cancellation of the claims will be effective from January 25 next year.

Government, through Reservation Notice number 1518 dated February 19 2004, reserved the area in question.

The government has appealed a September 25 High Court ruling that confirmed the company’s right of title to the claims.