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Trust Freddy
Herald correspondent
The formalisation of operations of small-scale miners has started, which besides giving security to those in the industry, will also stop leaks of gold and illegal mining activities.
Illegal miners who have been mining almost anywhere they please, without obtaining the formal mining rights, have been responsible for significant environmental degradation, and have been invading the property and even the shafts of major mines.
The regularisation is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development with the assistance of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation which represents small-scale miners.
It will ensure that the artisanal miners apply for mining grants and mine sustainably whilst being empowered through enhancement of their mining operations.
Addressing hundreds of artisanal miners at the official launch of Miners Forum for Economic Development and the Miners for ED Mashonaland Central chapter in Mazowe on Friday, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said the regularisation was meant to ensure that President Mnangagwa’s vision of achieving a US$12 billion mining industry was achieved.
“We have come up with a plan to make sure that artisanal miners benefit from gold mining at the same time making sure that Government is benefiting,” he said. “While major mines pay royalties of 5 percent when gold is more than US$1 300 an ounce, small-scale miners pay royalties at half that level.
“Our mining business generated US$2,7 billion in revenue in 2018 with a goal of US$12 billion, therefore it is encouraging to see that Miners for ED has been formed to support the President’s vision. As Government, we are against land degradation and all miners must do proper mining in accordance with environmental regulations.”
Government was also working on establishing a gold service centre in Mazowe to ease processing and remittances.
“To streamline and support the operations of artisanal miners, the Government is also going to establish a gold service centre which will assist miners in and around Mashonaland Central with equipment and working capital,” he said.
Miners in Mazowe are prepared to expand formalisation and production through a tribute arrangement with Metallon’s Jumbo mine.
In support of the transition from informal to formal status, Metallon Gold’s Jumbo Mine has initiated and designed a programme to empower artisanal miners.
Jumbo Mine manager Mr Allen Mushayavanhu said over the years, artisanal miners had been called derogatory names despite contributing significantly to the growth of the economy.
“Yes, they have been invading most big mining operations but today marks a different chapter as the mine has initiated and designed programmes to empower them,” he said.
“The thrust is to eliminate poverty and empower and enhance the production by the artisanal mining sector.”
Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Ms Henrietta Rushwaya urged miners to adhere to safe mining procedures.
“All miners should be wealthier and possess something tangible by 2030, but this can only occur if they are doing their operations legally, in compliance with environmental regulations and in accordance with Government standards for the mining sector,” she said.
“The creation of Miners for ED will bring quality and change and youths will become part of the mainstream economy. We will continue to engage with other big mining houses to also provide space for us locals to benefit and these initiatives will see the production level increasing.”
Mr Refane Chatsika, a small-scale miner in Mazowe, welcomed the formalisation programme saying it would make their life easier.
“Right now the majority of miners are not well equipped so we will be in a position to borrow whatever we want through formal channels,” he said.
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