Miners verify details ahead of cadastre system implementation

OWNERS of small-scale mining operations whose claims were registered before 2010 have up to the end of the month to verify their details as the Government implements the mining cadastre system.

A cadastre is normally a computer-based and up-to-date land information system containing a record of interest in land such as owners’ rights, restrictions and responsibilities.

The system will have all records of interest such as licence holders’ rights restrictions and Government activities in the central database for storage of information on rights applications and other mining activities.

In 2017, the Government announced that it was implementing the mining cadastre system to enhance transparency and accountability in the mining sector.

“Kindly be advised that all the holders of mining titles are advised to visit cadastre office to verify if: captured coordinates are reflecting actual ground location.

“Record and capture claim coordinates that were registered before the Ministry introduced GPS data collection techniques, most likely before 2010 and bring to cadastre office immediately,” reads part of a public notice signed by the Midlands provincial mining director Tariro Ndhlovu dated August 12, 2022.

“Rectification of any challenges, title holders are also advised to bring certificates of registration, list of coordinates for the corner beacons of their claims, date of registration/transfer, reef name, holder’s name, district of location, hectarage (in case the data required is not captured).

“This exercise must be completed by August 30, 2022 so that your details are captured into the cadastre system.”

Before the introduction of the cadastre system, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development used metal stakes or concrete beacons and other archaic demarcations to demarcate claims and rights.

It is hoped that the cadastre system will go a long way in helping the country to unlock potential value in the mining industry, which is expected to grow to a US$12 billion mining economy by next year.

The computer-based system will also help curb corruption, double allocations and solve disputes.-ebusinessweekly