adminThe suspension of operations comes amid revelations that the alluvial gold was exhausted by the few mining syndicates that managed to pan for the rich mineral.
In an interview on Monday, Governor Machaya said operations at the Sherwood claim started on Saturday and ended on Sunday.
Initially, it had been arranged that operations start yesterday but that was quickly reversed following mounting pressure from the prospective miners.
“People are now preparing for the Environmental Management Agency conditions to be met before they can be allowed to resume operations.
“The area has to be fenced first and the syndicates have to come up with an Environmental Impact Assessment report and toilets should be constructed. People were using the bush and this resulted in a few isolated cases of diarrhoea in the area. Production will resume as soon as these conditions are met,” he said.
Governor Machaya, who is also the Zanu-PF chairperson for Midlands, said the alluvial gold at the Sherwood claim was now exhausted.
He said only a few mining syndicates got the opportunity to explore for the rich mineral.
“The alluvial gold is now exhausted. Apparently, there wasn’t much and we had so many people who wanted to move in. What this means is that when operations resume, authorities need to mechanise the mining
process as the gold that is left is now underground. I hope those syndicates who did not get the opportunity to get into the claim would do so once operations resume,” said Governor Machaya.
The Midlands Governor commended the security personnel at the claim and the people for the manner they conducted themselves during the two days of mining.
He said mining syndicate members were searched on their way into and out of the claim that has since been nicknamed “Pahasha” by Kwekwe residents.
“The people were well-organised under the supervision of the police, the army, the President’s Office, Ministry of Mines and Mining Development officials, EMA and Fidelity Printers, among other stakeholders. I want to commend the above groups together with the people for a job well done. There was no single incident of violence.
“The mining was done peacefully as people were first told of the conditions before they were allowed to move in,” said Governor Machaya.
He said all the gold that was mined during the two days was sold directly to Fidelity Printers staff who were on sight.
Governor Machaya said the syndicates would remain in place while the mining claim was being upgraded.
“The syndicates will be allowed to operate once everything is in place. Those who sold their gold are still to be paid. They will be advised accordingly as to when to collect what is due to them and how to operate in accordance with the laws of the land,” he said.
Most members of the mining syndicates spent the greater part of last week reporting at the Zanu-PF Kwekwe District offices with their picks and shovels in anticipation to be given the green light to explore for the rich mineral.
The Sherwood gold rush started a fortnight ago following the discovery of alluvial gold at a State-owned claim in the farming area.
Online Reporter