Crucial Zimbabwean minerals exploration data is stuck in the hands of foreigners after a Canadian firm contracted by Government to conduct aeromagnetic surveys left without handing over the results.
There are also indications that another comprehensive geological survey is – in unclear circumstances – in the hands of researchers at a South African university and bits of it could be being “auctioned” off to individuals who then come to Zimbabwe to mine clandestinely.
This raises speculation that foreigners might have greater knowledge of the country’s mineral reserves, meaning the State is hampered in planning policy while outsiders can exploit reserves to Zimbabwe’s detriment.
Government recently tried in vain to access the information held by the as yet unnamed Canadian firm and has since formed the National Mining Company to oversee prospecting on its own.
Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Fred Moyo last week said the company explored for minerals across the country but left without surrendering the geophysical data.
He did not say how exactly this happened, or how much Government had paid for the exploration work…
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