Back to Index, Back to Special Index

This article participates on the following special index pages:

Research paper on the power dimension to mineral related corruption
Transparency International Zimbabwe (TI-Z)
January 14, 2013

Download this document
- Acrobat PDF version (675KB)
If you do not have the free Acrobat reader on your computer, download it from the Adobe website by clicking here

Introduction

Rampant corruption in the mining sector threatens to erode the potential the sector has to contribute to economic recovery and drive socio-economic development in Zimbabwe. Endemic corruption that has permeated the mining sector brings to fore the resource curse phenomenon. The resource curse phenomenon magnifies the negative correlation between natural resource abundance and socio-economic growth. Broadly conceptualized, the resource curse theory maintains that export-driven natural resource sectors- minerals, precious metals and gemstones- generate substantial revenues both for the state and foreign-owned multinational businesses, yet these do not translate into broad based economic development benefiting all sectors of the population and especially the poor. Evidence of the resource curse is widespread environmental degradation, pollution of water systems, loss of livelihoods, forced evictions and relocations, drug shortages at rural hospitals and clinics, dilapidated school infrastructure, collapsed bridges and poor roads networks in areas where mining is taking place. Thus instead of being a blessing Zimbabwe's mineral resources are increasingly turning out to be a resource curse. This paper thus presents preliminary findings of a recent study carried out by Transparency International Zimbabwe on the state of corruption in the mining sector. The focus of the study was on corruption in the extractive sector in Zimbabwe with special attention on gold, diamond and platinum mining in Kwekwe, Gwanda, Mhondoro-Ngezi and Chiadzwa areas. This paper presents the findings from this study with specific focus on the power dimension to mineral related corruption in gold and diamond mining in Zimbabwe. The power dimension to mineral related corruption brings to fore corruption involving those entrusted with power and authority in Zimbabwe, the politicians, military leadership, bureaucrats and influential business people.

Visit the Transparency International - Zimbabwe (TI-Z) fact sheet

Download full document

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP