High noon at Mine Entra 2017

16 Jul, 2017 - 00:07 0 Views
High noon at Mine  Entra 2017 Mr Wellington Takavarasha

The Sunday Mail

Ishemunyoro Chingwere
Zimbabwean small-scale miners will use the 22nd edition of the Mining, Engineering and Transport Expo (Mine Entra) this week to raise concerns they need addressed to help them achieve the US$3 billion export target for the sector.

Mine Entra is Zimbabwe’s largest mining, engineering and transport exhibition and will this year run from July 19 to July 21 under the theme “Exploring linkages in the mining value chain”.

Although primarily an exhibitors platform where businesses showcase their products and services, the event has also been used by miners to lobby Government on issues affecting the industry.

Buoyed by 8,2 percent growth in 2016 after a 2,5 percent drop in 2015, Zimbabwe mineral exports are forecast to climb to US$3 billion from US$1,94 billion last year.

Despite muted demand and falling prices, Treasury believes the US$3 billion target is achievable.

Zimbabwe Miners Federation CEO Mr Wellington Takavarasha said one of the major issues of concern was regularisation of informal miners.

“There is no doubt from where we stand that one of the key aspects that has to be addressed for the US$3 billion to be achieved is the formalisation and regularisation of artisanal miners,” said Mr Takavarasha.

“The country is losing revenue to illicit marketing because artisanal mining has been criminalised yet the Finance Ministry has since 2013 been preaching the gospel of decriminalisation. Even (Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe) Governor (Dr John) Mangudya has spoken about the need to formalise this key sector.

“Our appeal to Government on Friday will be to say let’s look at examples in countries like Uganda where even local authorities can issue mining licences or in Kenya where people can mine with a prospectors licence,” he said.Zimbabwe, according to ZMF, has 500 000 artisanal and if these were to be allowed to operate freely – conservatively contributing between a gramme and two a month – revenues will rise.

Small-scale miners account for 47 percent of the country’s gold output.

Chrome miners, the majority of whom are fighting to keep their claims from invasive individuals keen to take them over, especially after Government made ZimAlloys and Zimasco release blocs for locals, are also anxious to have their matters expeditiously dealt with.

“Mining disputes and the wanton kicking out of productive miners from claims is one problem which Government should put an end to,” said Confederation of Chrome Miners Association chair Mr Isaac Chivendera.

“Our hope therefore is that we will be able to engage at the Mine Entra and make sure we are on the same page with Government.”

Mine Entra organisers, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company, say 4 049 square metres have been taken up by 131 direct exhibitors. There are two foreign exhibitors from China and South Africa.

“The focus of this year’s show is to showcase opportunities for investment, business and trade throughout the different stages of the mining value chain,” said ZITF general manager Mrs Nomathemba Ndlovu.

“Concurrent activities around the exhibition have therefore been designed to ensure that the event delivers three full days of content-rich senior level executive and policy maker insights, exposure to downstream and upstream business opportunities, and an overview of Zimbabwe’s mining industry’s future through high level participation, intimate networking and on-site deal-flow.”

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