Parliament passes Minerals Development Fund Bill

Parliament last Friday passed into law the Minerals Development Fund Bill, 2014.

The law is to streamline the raising and disbursement of minerals funds, boost infrastructure development in mining communities and support efforts to discourage illegal mining.

For instance, the law makes room for the establishment of a mining community development scheme into which proceeds from royalty payments and development funds of mining companies and other sources would be paid.

Besides, the law makes provision for funds mobilised from various sources to be used by local development committees for infrastructure projects in the mining communities.

The law also prescribes guidelines on how to roll out corporate social responsibility projects, ensure health and safety standards, tackle environmental issues and resolve issues relating to blasting activities of mining companies.

Chief Executive Officer

Under the law, the President sh