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Mash West Bureau
Artisanal gold miners have been urged to form associations that represent their interests ahead of Government plans to legally formalise their activities. Government is working on introducing a law to protect artisanal miners, who have faced arrest as their activities are considered illegal.
President Mnangagwa, during his election campaigns, has indicated that the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs was crafting a Bill to legalise artisanal mining.
His statements were reiterated by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga while addressing rallies in Hurungwe District last week.
In an interview recently, Mashonaland Miners Association secretary general Mr Ephraim Fundukwa said members of the association, drawn from the region, welcome Government support for their activities.
Members of the association are drawn from Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East and Harare provinces.
“We have been excited by calls from the country’s leaders that Government recognises our activities and they would put laws to protect us from possible arrest,” he said.
“All artisanal miners across Zimbabwe should embrace this clarion call and form associations so that they can benefit even from the possible funding Government is promising.”
“People who live in Harare can also participate in gold production so we want to urge them to form their own groups and become members of the association,” said Mr Fundukwa.
Addressing a rally in Chegutu recently, President Mnangagwa said his Government was working on modalities to assist small-scale miners with necessary equipment.
“Tinonzwa kuti kune makorokoza, asi hatichati makorokoza. Under this dispensation munonzi ma small-scale miners. Patakainda kuChina muna April muno umu, ndichitaura nemukuru weikoko kuChina, waXin Jinping ikoko patakaenda pandima yekutaura nyaya yema small-scale miners takapihwa mari inokwana $100 million.”
He said Government agreed that Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando must make sure that all areas with artisanal gold miners should get the necessary equipment for their activities.
Online Reporter