Zimbabwe’s mining firms do not expect any significant impact from the government’s proposal to collect royalties in the form of refined minerals, the country’s Chamber of Mines said yesterday.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced on Sunday that Zimbabwe would require companies mining gold, diamonds, lithium and platinum group metals (PGMs) to pay part of their royalties in refined metal rather than cash.
The Chamber of Mines, which represents major mining companies, said it was not worried about the pronouncement because it would not increase existing royalty rates.
“We respect the government’s position. It’s their prerogative. All they are saying is they are changing payment modalities,” said Chamber of Mines CEO Isaac Kwesu.
Zimbabwe has significant reserves of gold, lithium and PGMs, but an uncertain policy environment, power shortages and currency volatility have hobbled the country’s mining industry.
Foreign companies with operations in Zimbabwe include Anglo American Platinum, Impala Platinum (Implats), Sibanye Stillwater, Alrosa and Caledonia Corporation.
Implats said it was working with the Chamber of Mines to understand and respond to the new policy.
“Paying royalties in US dollars or partly paying in equivalent metal product, on face value, does not materially alter the cost burden in Zimbabwe,” Implats spokesperson Johan Theron said.
Caledonia, one of the largest gold producers in Zimbabwe, said it did not expect any significant impact from the change.
“We have not seen the detailed mechanisms whereby this proposal may be implemented, but I do not think it would have any financial or operational effect on our business,” Caledonia CEO Mark Learmonth said.
Mineral royalties accounted for 2.8% of Zimbabwe’s tax revenue last year, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority data shows.
REUTERS