Zimbabwe has suspended a ban on the export of raw chrome ore. The ban will be lifted for an 18-month period during which small-scale miners will be able to export the mineral.
The ban was brought in last year when the Zimbabwean government permitted only trade in refined chrome products, a move which put many small-scale exporters out of business as they had no capabilities to refine the ore, however this result has led Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu to announce a lifting of the ban.
“We had imposed the ban to ensure that producers exported value-added products and not just raw chrome because, that way, the country was losing millions in potential revenue.But we have shelved this for 18 months” Mr Mpofu explained.
The minister also said that the government has relaxed legislation governing the gold sector to facilitate the entry of local enterprises into the sector.
“We have . . . allowed small-scale gold-miners to access licences to buy and sell their own gold. Because of our previous regulations that criminalised dealing in and possession of gold, these people were smuggling it to South Africa or selling it to illegal dealers here.” Mr Mpofu said. “Government was losing a lot money that way, but now the dealers can even buy from the gold panners and sell directly to the market.”
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