Finance minister Tendai Biti yesterday disclosed that Chinese firm Anjin, which mines diamonds in Chiadzwa, has not submitted any revenue to Treasury despite the company being the largest mining entity in the diamond-rich area.
Speaking at a Centre for Research and Development workshop on Zimbabwes diamonds and the Kimberley Process, Biti said so far this year, mining companies had exported $241 million worth of diamonds.
However, Treasury had only received $34 million, none of which came from Anjin.
I have got a big bone to chew with all the mines, but particularly with Anjin. We are not getting anything from Anjin. I am not that much worried about the other companies like Mbada and Marange because those are partly owned by ZMDC (Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation) and so at least we are getting something from them, Biti said.
Biti added that unlike other firms mining in Chiadzwa, Anjin was partnered by the army, a situation which he said raised eyebrows.
Anjin is not partnering ZMDC, someone says the army is its partner, but I have raised this with President Robert Mugabe. I am saying what does mining have to do with the army? Do we have a parallel government?
I think it is totally unacceptable that Anjin does not remit. I am also very angry with Anjin because they are by far the biggest mine there. Anjin has seven shafts combined, that means they have seven mines in one area, he said.
