Artisanal, small-scale miners forge alliance

06 Dec, 2015 - 00:12 0 Views
Artisanal, small-scale miners forge alliance Mr Sithole inspects one of his elution plants

The Sunday Mail

When Mr Marufu Sithole (37) abandoned artisanal gold mining to set up Chimona Mining in Shurugwi, the majority of the artisanal miners that he once worked with immediately disassociated themselves from him.
It seems there is a common perception in the mining sector that artisanal miners cannot co-exist with both small-scale and large-scale miners.
Artisanal miners tend to encroaching into claims owned by companies. Sadly, some of the clashes result in loss of lives.

Gold ore at Chimona Mining mill

Gold ore at Chimona Mining mill

Mr Sithole, the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce 2014 National Small-Scale Miner of the Year, is a man on a mission to prove that artisanal miners can co-exist and work with other miners.
To prove his point, Mr Sithole has engaged 100 youths who were artisanal miners at Wanderer’s Mine outside Shurugwi.
“As you know, I used to be an artisanal miner and I know the challenges that these guys often face.
“Although I made it on my own, I thought I should help some of the people that I once worked with,” Mr Sithole said.
He now primarily focuses on providing services to artisanal miners.
“First and foremost, I avail my compressors to the youths so that they can effectively extract gold ore.
“I then provide all the necessary services including the provision of explosives, transporting the ore to the milling plant up to the final processing.
“As a licensed buyer, I also buy the gold and sell it to Fidelity Printers. I, however, retain a certain percentage,” he explained.
Artisanal miners fork out US$100 per day to hire the compressors.
Mr Wilfred Nyoni, a former artisanal miner now leading a syndicate working with Mr Sithole, said the arrangement had changed their lives.
“We are now empowered and working in a safe environment. In the past, we struggled to produce since we did not have the capital.
“Thanks to this arrangement, all we need to offer is labour. Gone are the days when we used to play hide and seek with police,” Mr Nyoni said.
For working with artisanal miners and the local community, Chimona Mining scooped the 2014 Corporate Social Responsibility award in the Small-Scale Mining Sector at Mine Entra 2014.
Recently, the ZNCC adjudged the mine as their 2014 Midlands Small-Scale Miner of the Year.
In the past two years, Mr Sithole’s mining operations have been growing in leaps and bounds.
Starting with a single stamp mill some three years ago, Chimona Mining, which employs 75 full-time workers, now boasts of four such mills.
The company has two elution plants used to trap gold with less density. Stamp mills only harness about 30 percent of gold.
Among some of the company’s notable acquisitions is a brand new front-end loader for US$113 000.
“We want to diversify into construction and agriculture.
“As we speak, we are in the process of establishing a horticulture project that will supply the local community with fresh produce,” said Mr Sithole.
According to Mr Sithole, more than 10 hectares have been set aside for that purpose.
“Last year, we had 40 full-time workers and we have since increased the number. We try to be as professional as possible.
“Unlike other miners who employ unqualified staff, we make it a point that those that we employ are qualified and experienced,” added Mr Sithole.
Plans are under way for acquisition of a bow mill – a modern gold crushing and processing plant.
“. . . but the challenge that were are facing is that artisanal miners are producing ore in smaller quantities. A bow mill processes 200 tonnes of ore per hour whilst artisanal miners are providing only 15 tonnes at a time. We are forced to use the stamp mills,” Mr Sithole said.
Smaller modern bow mills, are available on the local market for up to US$15 000.
Mr Sithole has also built decent houses for his workers and fenced off the mine in compliance with standard rules.
“I am where I am as a result of Government’s policy of indigenisation. I call upon Government to continue supporting artisanal miners.
“Due to the regularisation of some artisanal miners, I can now work freely with them.
“If people are given gold mining claims, it means more people will also come down here for milling,” Mr Sithole said.

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