Three Men on a Boat 
The Zimbabwe mining industry may be turning out to be an interesting soap opera depending on which way you look at it.
Let’s look at what has happened in the past weeks. Firstly it was reported in local press that chief executive of Impala Platinum, David Brown is leaving the company and we quote “in order to pursue his own interests” now we know that’s just polite language that PR people use to say “some people in the organization did not like this dude and they are forcing him out.”
In the world of corporate politics people don’t just become CEOs of multi-million companies nor do they just step off the bus in the middle of no where. Besides who leaves the position of CEO of the worlds’ second largest producer of the precious metal to pursue their own interests? What interests beat, a huge salary, free holidays, free housing, free school fees, free cars, millions in share options, did I mention holidays? That just doesn’t make common sense.
Other critics cite a drop in share price and lack of agreement with the Zimbabwean government regarding its operations in the country. But the drop in share price is industry wide so certainly it is something that could be explained.
As for operating in Zimbabwe, we know that the Zimbabwe government for all its bad reputation is willing to be flexible, need be. Take the case of ZISCO Steel, where they agreed to let a foreign company be a senior partner in order to ensure the life of the company. We think in the case of Mr Brown there could be more is at play than meets the eye, probably something to do with the stand he took by going on record to say that the company would never give some ownership over.
Although Brown was instrumental in the development of Implats’ Zimbabwean asset we did warn as far back as August 2011, in an article here that his attitude on indigenisation were regrettable. To us, axing of the Impala’s head comes as no surprise.
In the case Zimplats, hundreds of workers at the platinum producer are on industrial action to press the mining company to pay for their household electricity supplies.
The strike action has left with only 50% of its workforce reporting for duty. Surely they might have a legitimate cause but to get 50% people to down their tools over ZESA, which is hardly ever on, takes a lot in terms of mobilising people, especially when losing one’s job in Zimbabwe could have dire consequences.
The fact of the matter is that workers are nothing but pawns in a much bigger game of chase. Those Zimplats workers might be fighting a war they have absolutely no idea of. Meanwhile management has fired the workers committee chairman for inciting the strike action.
Looking at all these goings-on it is possible that a covert mining war is playing out in Zimbabwe, right under our noses. The ownership of some of these mines is still a bone of contention, and it is possible that the smaller guys now want, not just the piece but the whole pie.
If indeed such a war has ensued, may the best man win.
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