Metallon Gold to resuscitate operations

In an interview, Metallon Gold corporate affairs executive Mr Zenzo Nsimbi said there was a lot of gold at How Mine hence open pit mining would ensure they get much of the mineral.
“There is a lot of the resource in that area and we are trying to get as much as we can because at the moment the prices of gold have risen so well and for any reasonable man it’s wise to find ways of getting as much of the mineral as they can.
“The re-opening of open cast pit mining will just ensure we achieve that thereby contributing to the monthly gold production that has been falling since the beginning of this year,” he said.

According to the figures published by the Finance Ministry last month, Zimbabwe’s monthly gold production had fallen short of the targeted 1,100 kilogrammes since the start of the year, throwing into doubt a projected annual output of 13 tonnes for the year.
The country’s gold mining sector is recovering from an economic crisis which peaked in 2008 as hyperinflation reached 500 billion percent and forced most mines to close.

“Gold output declined in February 2012 by 11.8 percent from January’s output of 1,053kg. Cumulatively, gold output for the months of January and February has reached 1,981kg,” the finance ministry said in an economic update.
The target for the year is 13 000kg, implying monthly averages of about 1,100kg.

The price of gold has risen from $1 434 an ounce last year to the current $1 674. Gold has also overtaken platinum as the most valuable mineral.
Meanwhile, How Mine will undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment before resuming operations at the pit.
In a statement, Metallon Gold said it would consult stakeholders likely to be affected by the open cast mine.

“In terms of the Environmental Management Act (Cap.20:27), the proposed mining activity requires an Environmental Impact Assessment as it has potential environmental impacts such as blasting vibrations and noise, vegetation destruction, resultant open pit and dust among other impacts.
“Appropriate environmental impacts mitigation measures, monitoring and control systems will be implemented,” said the statement.