2011 - Rio Tinto's Murowa diamond mine in Zimbabwe has been given part approval for its plan to comply with the government demand that foreign mining houses transfer 51% of their local equity stakes to black investors in the country.

“Murowa Diamonds has received part approval and intends to proceed with implementing a community equity component of that plan,” managing director Niels Kristensen said in an e-mailed response to questions from Reuters.

Earlier this year, the Zimbabwean government gave mining companies up to 30 September to sell at least 51% of their shares in their local operations to black investors in an empowerment drive that has shaken foreign investors, says Reuters.

Murowa is one of several foreign mining firms that also received letters from the government around mid-August directing them to meet a 14-day deadline to submit fresh empowerment plans or risk losing operating licences.

This follows the government's rejection of proposals by all 175 mining firms, which had offered 25% in direct equity and 26 percent in social credits for investments in areas such as roads, schools and hospitals.

Kristensen said Murowa was still in talks to fully comply with the plan, but would not give any further details.