Zimbabwe stops issuing permits for Five Minerals

Zimbabwe Government has, with immediate effect suspended processing applications for new mining titles seeking rights to extraction of diamonds, copper, lithium, nickel and rare earth.
The government said overwhelming increase in demand for the mining claims is the reason for the decision.
This decision was communicated through correspondence signed by Permanent Secretary for Mines and Mining Development, Mr Pfungwa Kunaka dated December 19, 2022 and addressed to provincial mining directors and the deputy cadastre registrar and mining affairs board secretary.
The Government has also directed that on applications for inspection certificates, the applicants should submit a declaration of the amount of work carried out on mining claims as well as a declaration of minerals contained in the ore body being mined.
“We have of late seen flooding of applications for mining titles for minerals which have now been deemed strategic in the upcoming Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill.
“It has thus become necessary that in the national interest we temporarily stop acceptance and processing of applications for mining titles for the following minerals until further notice: diamonds, copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earth minerals.
“The above directives are to be implemented with immediate effect,” reads part of the correspondence.
The Government recently introduced stringent measures and inspections in the mining sector amid allegations that some players were disclosing the discovery of new minerals on their claims, thus depriving the country of potential earnings from their sales.