Botha Gold Mine has issued a detailed clarification following what it says are inaccurate reports circulating on social media platforms and in parts of the media regarding a recent directive issued by the Provincial Mining Engineer for Mashonaland Central.

In a statement released on Friday, the mining company said recent public narratives had misrepresented the nature and implications of the directive, stressing that the matter forms part of an ongoing legal dispute that remains before the courts.

The company said the situation stems from a long-standing boundary disagreement involving neighbouring Freda Rebecca Gold Mine, whose agents are reported to include Navid Incorporated (Pvt.) Ltd. According to Botha Gold Mine, the dispute is currently under judicial consideration, including a High Court application filed under case number HCH1051/26, in which Freda Rebecca is seeking a declaratory order on ownership of an area commonly referred to as Mining Lease 21.

Botha Gold Mine maintains that it continues to lawfully occupy the contested ground, citing several High Court rulings in its favour. The company raised concern over what it described as attempts to sidestep legal channels through unauthorised activities on the disputed site.

At the centre of the controversy is a directive issued on April 8, 2026, by the Provincial Mining Engineer. The mine clarified that the order constitutes a safety-related suspension issued under the Mining (Management and Safety) Regulations (Statutory Instrument 109 of 1990).

The company emphasised that the directive does not determine ownership rights or confer operational control over the contested mining area.

“Any narratives suggesting that the directive transfers authority, validates competing claims or permits selective continuation of operations are misleading,” the statement said.

Botha Gold Mine confirmed that it has since formally engaged the Provincial Mining Director to raise concerns about the directive’s legality, procedural fairness and implementation. It said these engagements have been conducted constructively and within established regulatory frameworks.

The mining company also rejected allegations portraying its operations as disorderly or violent. It argued that incidents reported in the area were linked to alleged unauthorised incursions into its operational zone, adding that measures taken were aimed at safeguarding workers, contractors and mining assets.

According to the company, its structured artisanal mining model supports more than 200 contractors and sustains over 5,000 direct and indirect livelihoods across Bindura and the wider Mashonaland Central province.

Botha Gold Mine further highlighted the socio-economic contribution of its operations, stating that formalised mining activities have helped improve local stability by creating employment opportunities and integrating former informal miners into regulated systems aligned with government efforts to formalise the artisanal mining sector.

As court proceedings continue, the company appealed for restraint among stakeholders and called on journalists and the public to rely on verified information.

“Attempts to bypass the courts will not succeed; this matter will be resolved in law, not in narrative,” the company said, urging responsible reporting to avoid unnecessary tensions that could affect communities and investor confidence.