Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
SABI Gold Mine in Zvishavane has more than doubled its gold production to 40kgs per month from 15kgs following a successful resuscitation programme by new investors Anmack Mining.
The company boosted the plant’s crushing capacity from 400 tonnes per day to 1 200 tonnes with a new primary crusher and is contributing to the Government’s aim of a US$12 billion mining economy.
Sabi Gold Mine employs 620 people and is directly contributing to the Second Republic’s thrust to boost employment creation and improve livelihoods in line with Vision 2030.
Addressing workers and management, Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Owen Ncube, said the mine was contributing towards the goal and commended it for complying with policies on gold trading.
The mine also contributes to the province’s economy and creates employment.
“I am impressed by the level of gold production here at Sabi Gold Mine which is reported to be on average 27 000 tonnes of ore per month with gold bullion production of an average 40kgs per month, up from 15kgs per month before the coming on board of Anmack Mining Private Limited,” he said.
Minister Ncube commended Sabi Gold Mine for complying with the Government policy by taking its gold to Fidelity Refiners.
“This transparent and formal way of trading goes a long way in supporting the growth of the provincial GDP as well as the attainment of a US$$12 billion mining economy by 2025. This underscores the Second Republic’s development trajectory that focuses on economic recovery and growth underpinned by private sector-led investment,” he said.
“We applaud Anmack Mining Private Limited for successfully resuscitating Sabi Gold Mine by refurbishing underground mining compressed air, restoring water reticulation systems and travel ways. They also installed an underground loading station and deepened the shaft from level 11 to level 14.”
Minister Ncube said the Second Republic upholds inclusive and broad-based empowerment of communities in line with the devolution and decentralisation framework.
“I would like to applaud Sabi Gold mine for its corporate social responsibility through borehole drilling and equipping, and solar electrification of healthcare facilities, among others,” he said.
“This complements the Second Republic’s thrust to provide 35 000 boreholes and business units to mitigate against climate change. I therefore urge other mining entities to emulate this by practising responsible mining and upholding their obligations to engage local communities on sustainable socio-economic programmes such as food and nutrition security, drug and substance abuse mitigation, health and education support.”
Minister Ncube said the main economic pillars driving the Midlands provincial GDP growth are mining, agriculture and manufacturing.
According to the 2022 ZimStat census report, the mining sector in the Midlands contributed 27,7 percent towards the country’s GDP.
“In this regard, President Mnangagwa has adopted an inward looking approach driven by our comparative and competitive advantages in human and natural resources as we seek to leapfrog our economic growth and recovery in the face of negative effects of illegal economic sanctions imposed on our country by the US and its Western allies,” he said.
Minister Ncube urged small scale miners to pay unit tax to local authorities to enable them to provide quality and accessible services to residents in line with President Mnangagwa’s “A Call to Action — No Compromise to Service Delivery”.
He said as the country celebrates high achievements realised in the mining industry and beyond, it is also important to embrace the various tangible programmes and projects spearheaded by the Second Republic.
“These interventions include power generation through the refurbished Hwange Unit 7 and 8, the recently commissioned Optic Fibre Network project which is set to revolutionise our national information communication technology, modernisation of Beitbridge border post and RG Mugabe International Airport, and the upgrading of the Harare-Beitbridge road.
“We also have projects such as the Mbudzi traffic interchange, Lake Gwayi-Shangani, Kunzvi Dam as well as our very own Vungu and Defe dams here in Midlands, including road works on Shurugwi-Chachacha road.”
Minister Ncube said the Government is rolling out the Food Deficit Mitigation Programme to curb food insecurity arising from poor harvests emanating from drought.
Online Reporter