adminorganisation, whose mandate includes sustaining indigenous miners, was registered as a Trust last year.
ICMZ chief executive officer Mr Toendepi Mahaso said the scheme was aimed at building capacity of small-scale miners to raise their operations as most equipment and inputs were imported from outside the country.
“We are trying to promote indigenous small-scale miners so that they can raise their output. We will raise funds to procure the equipment through various fund-raising initiatives as well as smart partnerships,” he said.
Mr Mahaso said it was vital to capacitate small-scale miners to enable them realise their full potential and contribute significantly to economic development.
“The sub-sector can make meaningful contribution of as much as 25 percent towards the overall mining sector contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product,” he said.
He said once small-scale miners were assisted, they were able to create employment as well as contribute to economic development and sustenance.
Most small-scale miners are not registered, raising the spectre of illicit trading of minerals and smuggling, depriving the country of potential revenue.
The Government recently raised concern over rampant mineral leakages into neighbouring countries affecting the potential of the sector to increase its contribution to GDP.
Following the adoption of multiple foreign currencies in 2009, the mining industry has become one of the leading economic enablers with an average annual growth rate of more than 30 percent.
Between 2009 and 2011, mineral exports increased by 230 percent while last year they accounted for 47 percent of total exports, led by platinum, gold and diamonds. – New Ziana.
Online Reporter