The government in Zimbabwe has said that it will not deviate from its policy of securing a 51 per cent stake in the country's mining interests.

Under proposals announced earlier this month, the Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe plans to take control of foreign-owned mines on behalf of the people.

Foreign mining companies, including Impala Platinum, have had meetings with government officials to discuss these proposals.

While there has been no official statement from the companies involved, Mr Mugabe's mines and mining development minister Cde Amos Midzi said that while talks were ongoing, the industry had accepted the need for local empowerment.

"We shall not be deviated from that policy, but, of course, we are taking into account representations made by the industry," he told the government-owned Herald newspaper.

Zimbabwe is rich in a number of natural resources including platinum group metals, meaning that foreign firms like Impala have significant investments in the country.

If the government moves ahead with its plans foreign-owned mines would have to give up a 25 per cent stake for free and a further 26 per cent of their stock that would be paid for over time.

Ÿ Adfero Ltd