Zimbabwean Mine Dispute Leads to Claims of Looting

Bubye Minerals (Pvt) Ltd. has alleged that Zimbabwean state agents are looting diamonds from the River Ranch Mine in Beitbridge after seizing it from the company. The agents occupied the mine after the government cancelled the company's claim to the property following a dispute over their method of obtaining the mining rights.

The Zimbabwe Independent reports that the company's claim, which was approved by the Mining Affairs Board in January 2005, was cancelled late last year. The government claims that it was granted without the consent of Amos Midzi, the minister of mines and mining development, which is required by law.

The company argues that based on previous cases, the court should reverse the government's decision.

In an urgent High Court chamber application seeking to reverse the government's actions, Bubye Minerals' lawyer, Terrence Hussein, said that the loss of mining rights amounted to "extra-judicial seizure" and the government risks the imposition of international sanctions involving the sale of diamond products under the Kimberley Accord, reports the Zimbabwe Independent.

"On the international scene and in terms of the Kimberley Accord, the mine has in effect been unlawfully seized," said Hussein, quoted in the Zimbabwe Independent. "Zimbabwe's diamonds therefore are in danger of being subject to international sanctions thereby depriving the country of much needed foreign currency."

The case was adjourned pending the parties establishing exactly who is occupying the mine.