Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) Gvt will never negotiate with ACR: Mpofu

Gvt will never negotiate with ACR: Mpofu
By: Ranganai Chidemo
Posted: Sunday, August 1, 2010 1:05 am

GOVERNMENT says it will never enter into a diamond mining agreement with African Consolidated Resources (ACR) as it mined diamonds in Zimbabwe illegally and is the subject of a police investigation.

Mines and Minerals Development Minister Obert Mpofu said when ACR obtained its mining license for Chiadzwa it did not even exist as a company.

“At the time of the registration of the mining claims, the ACR group did not exist and, consequently, the claims were registered through fraudulent misrepresentation," read a report compiled by the minister.

"... and in doing so the ACR group did not comply with mandatory requirements set out in the Mines and Minerals Act (Chapter 21: 05).”
Article continues below

Minister Mpofu also added that Government would not enter into any negotiations with ACR on the sale of stockpiles of Marange diamonds, or entertain the idea of a 50/50 revenue sharing deal from the proceeds of that sale.

“We are going to let the law take its course and it is daydreaming for anyone to think that the Government will ever negotiate with ACR.

"They have been busy lying about our diamonds to the international community. They have been looting our diamonds,” alleged Minister Mpofu.

Police investigations into the London-listed company are still going on.

Attorney-General Mr Johannes Tomana on Friday confirmed that police were looking into whether ACR fraudulently pegged mining claims within a period that was impossible to register mining claims.

Mr Tomana said more than 129 000 carats of diamonds were being held at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe as an exhibit.

“The investigations are ongoing. The diamonds mined are the subject of criminal investigation,” said Mr Tomana.

ACR did not exist during the time the claims were said to be registered, rendering the process fraudulent, according to police reports.

Labels: AFRICA CONSOLIDATED RESOURCES, ANDREW CRANSWICK, MARANGE DIAMOND FIELDS, OBERT MPOFU

posted by MrK @ 6:58 AM