Mbada Diamonds and Canadile Miners, the two firms currently mining diamonds in collaboration Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) in Chiadzwa, have paid a total dividend of $30 million to the government.

According figures released by the Ministry of Mines, Mbada contributed $24.438 547 and Canadile $5 568 174 to government coffers.

ZMDC, which represents government in the joint venture, received a total of $23 790 719.70, the Mineral Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) was paid total commission fees of $494 166.70 and an unnamed figure of $$6 215 911.15 according to the ministry´s schedule.

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) received $1 906 082.73 through a Non Resident Shareholders Tax on Dividend levied on the two companies technical partners Coal Mining of India and Reclamation of South Africa.

Zimra was also paid $74 125.01 as Valued Added Tax while the Finance ministry received $5 647 619.44 as royalty fees.

The announcement by the Ministry of Mines comes after its maiden sale of Marange diamonds following certification by Kimberly Process monitor, Abbey Chikane.

The mines ministry has projected a US$30 million contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the country’s mining sector.