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Dosman Mangisi Business Correspondent
ZIMBABWE Chamber of Mines president Toendepi Muganyi says the centralisation of gold buying to Fidelity Printers has resulted in an increase in deliveries with the small-scale mining sector alone registering a 22 percent growth since January. Speaking during the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) board induction and governance workshop in Norton on Friday, Muganyi said gold output was on a steady increase so far this year compared to 2014 adding that the 16 tonnes targeted annual output for 2015 was possible.
“I would want to applaud government efforts in gold mobilisation, which has seen production figures rising. Of most significance are the figures of small-scale miners, which are sharply increasing,” he said.
“Gold has since increased with two tonnes per year since 2012 and I’ve no doubt that 16 tonnes will be scored this year considering the 13.9 tonnes of 2014.
“I’m convinced small-scale miners will hit six tonnes with big miners reaching 10 tonnes. We’re on our way to 20, 30, 50 tonnes and these figures are achievable if we work collectively in the gold sector, and hoping the induction of good governance is the first good step to manage artisanal and small-scale miners in order for them to yield better results.”
According to Fidelity Printers’ second quarter report, the quantity bought from small-scale miners has gradually increased especially between March and April.
The increase has been attributed to the suspension of VAT rebate on gold in South Africa, which was effected beginning of April. Indications are that April figures are likely to be sustained throughout the year provided there are no interruptions under the prevailing conditions.
As of end of second quarter, gold statistics stood at 8.2 tonnes with small-scale miners having produced 3.1 tonnes while large scale miners produced 5.1 tonnes.
Muganyi, who is also the managing director of Freda Rebecca Gold Mine, stressed the need to capacitate small-scale miners in various areas.
He urged the ZMF to strengthen the institution and its associations to become stronger and make a voice that will be heard. Muganyi said small-scale miners in other countries were the owners of mining investments.
He said Zimbabwe stands a chance to lead mining development and called for robust implementation of set policies and skills to foster growth.
Online Reporter