A LEGAL dispute has erupted between Chinese mining company Wan Wenjin Jewellers and Chief Mutasa of Manicaland over allegations of illegal gold mining within an area covered by the firm’s exclusive prospecting licence, the Zimbabwe Independent can report.
Documents seen by this publication show that attempts by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit in Mutare to broker a settlement between the parties have failed.
Wan Wenjin Jewellers is now seeking the revocation of a special grant issued to Chief Mutasa, arguing that it was irregularly granted within the company’s exclusive prospecting order (EPO) 11/22, in violation of an earlier binding agreement.
The conflict dates back to March 24, 2022, when Wan Wenjin Jewellers registered EPO 11/22.
However, sometime before November 23, 2023, illegal gold mining activities reportedly began at Stapleford, within the same area.
An individual identified as Tosa, who claimed to be operating on behalf of Chief Mutasa, was allegedly involved.
“When we confronted Tosa, he said he was operating under Chief Mutasa, who had a licence,” the company stated in correspondence to the authorities.
Following investigations, CID officers visited the site on November 24, 2023, accompanied by company representatives.
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The officers ordered the miners to vacate, stating that their operations were illegal.
Four days later, Chief Mutasa was summoned to the CID offices, where the parties reached a temporary agreement.
Wan Wenjin Jewellers undertook to tribute some claims to the chief and his miners, on condition they operated legally through registered youth cooperatives.
This understanding was formalised in a signed affidavit, acknowledged by both sides as binding.
However, the company alleges that between November 23 and December 4, 2023, Chief Mutasa did not honour the agreement.
“His illegal miners continued to operate,” its statement reads.
On December 4, 2023, Chief Mutasa reportedly addressed the miners at the site, declaring that the land belonged to him as the traditional leader of the area, despite acknowledging that the EPO was held by Wan Wenjin Jewellers.
Illegal mining allegedly continued thereafter.
Tensions heightened when Chief Mutasa later secured a special grant over the same area in 2025, a move the company says violated their agreement and mining rights.
“The act of Chief Mutasa violated our interests. He was never arraigned for illegal operations in our EPO, breached our agreement and was granted an SG against all this violation of our rights,” the firm said in its correspondence.
Wan Wenjin Jewellers further contends it was never given an opportunity to lodge objections before the special grant was approved, even though it covered the same mineral resources as those under its EPO.
The company has since warned that such actions undermine the integrity of Zimbabwe’s mining title system.
“If everyone would do the same, then EPO 11/22 would become land open to pegging and prospecting against the law, and we would stand to lose,” it said.
“The essence of applying for EPOs would therefore be irrelevant.”
The matter is now headed for the courts, though both parties are reportedly also exploring political channels in search of a resolution.
