The ManicaPost
Ray Bande, Senior Reporter
ILEGAL diamond panners remain a major threat to operations of the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), an official with the state-owned mining firm has said.
In his security update presented at an all stakeholders diamond indaba held here in Mutare today, ZCDC chief security officer, Mr Elias Mvere, said the illegal panners continue to be a threat to the national economy.
“Illegal diamond panners commonly referred to as gwejas remain a cause for concern to the operations of the ZCDC and continue being a threat to the national economy. The panners are operating from all bases on the mountains and some are offered rented accommodation by local villagers and shop owners.
“The intelligence we have suggest that the panners are being sponsored by illegal buyers and syndicate managers,” he said.
Mr Mvere thanked members of the community around the mining area for assisting ZCDC in curbing illegal mining activities.
“We would like to applaud the community for their continued support which has helped us to thwart illegal panner intrusions through reliable and accurate information. Ore areas like RBZ and Ushonje raised a lot of interest from illegal panners. However, more often than not, the security reactions were able to counter these intrusions with the help of community members,” he added.
Issues relating to illegal Diamond panners have been a borne of contention for mining companies in Mararnge since the discovery of the precious gems.
