It is reported that a handful of diamond mining companies affected by crippling power cuts in Zimbabwe have been forced to set up their own dedicated power line.

The official Sunday Mail reported that the five companies with operations in Chiadzwa diamond fields in the east of the country would have to raise at least 60% of the total cost of installing the line.

According to the report, erratic power supplies meant miners efforts to realize their full potential was stifled. The city of Mutare about 100 kilometres from Chiadzwa would be the source electricity. Mutare and its surrounding areas are badly hit by power cuts which occur three or four days a week and often last for up to 16 hours.

Zimbabwe cash strapped state power utility is owed more than ZWD 100 million by consumers. Earlier this month, it caused uproar by raising tariffs by an average of more than 30%.

The Sunday Mail report that if the mining companies pay for the power line and they will only be charged half the going tariff.

Diamonds were first discovered in Chiadzwa in 2006 sparking a gold style rush to the area before the military drove out illegal miners in 2008. Human rights groups said up to 200 of them were killed in the operation.

(Sourced from miningmx.com)