Govt confident of capabilities of revised Mines Act

Government says it returns the confidence in the capabilities of the revised Mines and Mineral Act to guarantee investment portfolios in the country.

Mines Deputy Minister Richard Musukwa says government’s confidence is based on the fact that the Act was revised following wide consultations with stakeholders for a period of over 3 years.

Mr. Musukwa has told Qfm News that issues the Act therefore brings out are those to do with provisions that protect investments in the mining sector and policy consistency and predictability.

He says besides achieving these goals, the Mines and Minerals Act also synchronizes with the Forestry Act contrary to concerns by some stakeholders that the undermines the Forestry Act.

Mr. Musukwa states that the Mines and Minerals Act in fact enforces the Forestry Act as the intention of the government is to protect the environment using the two acts while maximizing the country’s mineral wealth.

He says this means that the both the Mines and Minerals Act and Forestry Act promote sustainable operations in the country.

Mr. Musukwa has also allayed concerns that the 10 years that a prospecting company is allowed to hold on to an exploration license is too long and unproductive.