Categories: Stories

Diamond mining companies given weeks to submit audited financial statements for merger

The government has given diamond mining companies in Zimbabwe just weeks to submit their audited financial statements before they merge into one mining company-the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company.

According to The Herald, Mines Minister Walter Chidhakwa gave the companies two choices- join or ship out.

Chidhakwa said an extraordinary general meeting will be held within the first two weeks of August.

 “I have made a strong plea to the companies, resistances here and there, uncertainty here and there. But I want to communicate that we are not stopping. Where we are now is that as 50 percent shareholders through ZMDC we have a right to call for an extra ordinary general meeting. We have called for EGMs and we have invited our partners to the EGM,” Chidhakwa said.

 “We want them to take a position and tell us whether as companies they will go ahead. That is the commercial route. The companies will go in and vote and come up with a position. These are commercial mechanisms. If any company decides not to sign up for the consolidation, government will use the legal route. But commercial decisions by companies do not have the effect of changing government policy. Our position is that government has enunciated a policy and that policy is that we will have one diamond mining company in this country. And therefore if a decision by the commercial entity is that they will not participate in this one entity, then I think it will be time to bid each other farewell. We are very clear about this; we are taking not one step backwards.”

The government already owns 50 percent in Diamond Mining Company, Anjin, Jinan, Mbada Diamonds and Gye Nyame Resources through the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation all operating in Marange. It also wholly owns Marange Resources.

The only diamond mining company outside this net is Murowa in Zvishavane which was owned by Rio Tinto. The global mining company sold its 78 percent stake in the mine to RZ Murowa Holdings in June.

Workers of the various companies are opposing the merger because they are owed millions in unpaid wages by the companies.

(230 VIEWS)

This post was last modified on %s = human-readable time difference 9:35 am

Charles Rukuni

The Insider is a political and business bulletin about Zimbabwe, edited by Charles Rukuni. Founded in 1990, it was a printed 12-page subscription only newsletter until 2003 when Zimbabwe's hyper-inflation made it impossible to continue printing.

Recent Posts

Will Mnangagwa go against the trend in the region?

Plans by the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front to push President Emmerson Mnangagwa to…

October 22, 2024

The Zimbabwe government and not saboteurs sabotaging ZiG

The Zimbabwe government’s insatiable demand for money to satisfy its own needs, which has exceeded…

October 20, 2024

The Zimbabwe Gold will regain its value if the government does this…

Economist Eddie Cross says the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) will regain its value if the government…

October 16, 2024

Is Harare the least democratic province in Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, which is a metropolitan province, is the least democratic province in the…

October 11, 2024

Zimbabweans against extension of presidential term in office

Nearly 80% of Zimbabweans are against the extension of the president’s term in office, according…

October 11, 2024

Zimbabwe government biggest loser when there is a discrepancy in the exchange rate

The government is the biggest loser when there is a discrepancy between the official exchange…

October 10, 2024