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Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
MUROWA Diamonds says it is not among the diamond mining firms which have been ordered by the government to halt operations in Marange with immediate effect.

In a statement yesterday Murowa Diamonds chairman, Lovemore Chihota said his company was no affected by the directive.

“Our attention has been drawn to the press statement of 22 February 2016 made by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Honourable Walter Chidhakwa on the above matter. We hereby wish to advise all our stakeholders who include our financiers, suppliers, shareholders and employees that Murowa Diamonds in not part of what the minister said.

“Accordingly, we wish to advise all our stakeholders that Murowa Diamonds continues to operate as usual,” said Chihota

The government on Monday gave all diamond mining companies in Marange a 90-day ultimatum to remove their equipment after ordering them to halt operations with immediate effect for rejecting a proposal to amalgamate their activities.

Minister Chidhakwa also announced that their licences had expired.

Last year he said all diamond mining operations in the country would collapse into one firm in which the state will have a                       50 percent shareholding.

“Since they no longer hold any titles, these companies were notified this morning to cease all mining activities with immediate effect and to vacate the mining areas covered by Special Grants for diamonds,” the minister on Monday.

“They’ve been given 90 days within which to remove their equipment and other valuables. During this period, access into the premises will be by request, which will be considered by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.”

Marange diamond miners, who have been engaged in open cast operations, last year said they had hit hard rock.

The new Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company is expected to embark on underground mining operations once fully capitalised.
Gye Nyame Resources, a joint venture between the state-owned Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) and Bill Minerals, represented by Ghanaian businessman William Ato Essien, had its licence revoked in 2014 due to insolvency and failure to adhere to environmental requirements.