Key takeaways
- A claim must be properly pegged and registered, not just "found".
- Holding a claim comes with ongoing obligations.
- Check the status of any claim before you buy or invest in it.
Zimbabwe has a long tradition of small-scale mining, and many people enter it hoping to secure a claim of their own. The process is regulated, and shortcuts tend to end in disputes.
The general steps
- Get the right authority to prospect. Prospecting generally requires the proper permit or licence before you start. Confirm the current requirements with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.
- Find ground that is open. Land already under another claim, a protected area or private land may not be available, or may need consent. Check this first.
- Peg the claim. Pegging follows set rules on how the boundaries are marked and notice is given. Errors at this stage can invalidate the claim.
- Register it. The claim must be registered with the mining authorities, with the prescribed forms and fees. Keep your certificate and copies of everything you submit.
- Meet continuing obligations. Claims can be lost if fees are not paid, work requirements are not met or conditions are ignored.
Common problems
- Overlapping claims, where two people have pegged the same ground.
- Buying a claim from someone who has let it lapse.
- Mining on private or communal land without agreement from the owner or occupier.
- Operating without the required environmental approvals.
Before you buy or invest
Ask for the registration certificate, then verify with the mining authorities that the claim is registered in the seller's name, is in good standing and is not subject to a dispute. Paying for a claim that has already lapsed is an avoidable and expensive mistake.
Requirements and fees change, so confirm the current position with the relevant office before you act.
This article is general information, not legal advice.