The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S small-scale gold miners’ outout has reached 22 200 kilogrammes this year to date, Mines and Mining Development deputy Minister Dr Polite Kambamura has said.
This comes as the mining sector targets to generate more than US$12 billion in annual mineral exports next year.
Mining has been identified as a key pillar, behind agriculture, to underpin a quick economic turnaround of the country.
Addressing small-scale miners at Golden Valley Mine in Kadoma during the launch of Mashonaland West Miners4ED, deputy Minister Kambamura said small-scale miners have proven beyond expectations that they have the required potential to transform the economy through gold production.
“Government is pleased by the rate at which small-scale miners are working, as seen by production records.
“From January to date, small-scale miners have produced more than 22 200kgs of gold, which is an applaudable development,” he said.
“We understand that the US$12 billion target is a process. This is one of the signs that we are progressing well, and as we are looking forward to several upcoming mining projects that are at varying stages, we are sure that we are destined for success.”
The deputy Minister said mines that are lying idle risk being repossessed by Government, and given to players that will help unlock the economic value of minerals for national development.
“We have already started invoking Section 400 of the Mines and Minerals Act, which empowers the Minister to summon any mining claim holder who is not producing,” he said.
“If the Minister is not satisfied that a certain miner is not giving enough production at a particular mining location and period, he can call that miner to come forward and show cause why the Government cannot take that mining asset back.”
Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) president, Ms Henrietta Rushwaya, decried rampant corruption by some law enforcement agents who were in the habit of seeking bribes from small-scale miners.
ZMF president Ms Henrietta Rushwaya
“Under Miners for ED, we encourage law abiding practices; producing and delivering to the official reserves and no side-marketing of the precious mineral.
“We are here as small-scale miners and youths to produce, and seek to contribute to the national development of the sector and the country at large,” she said, adding that they have since submitted an application to Golden Valley Mine to get tributes to benefit the ZMF membership.
“This grouping is a hardworking group with youths, women and people with disabilities, who are determined in turning around the economy,” she said.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland West, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka denounced violence among small-scale miners, and urged them to work together for the benefit of the country.
Through the Mines and Minerals Act, Government is empowered to repossess unused mining titles and re-issue them to investors capable of developing productive mines.
Last year, 80 mining claims out of the 213 that were identified as under-utilised, were repossessed under the first phase of the initiative.
