Online Reporter
George Maponga
Online Reporter
GOVERNMENT has challenged the small-scale mining sector to formalise its operations and adhere to good environmental practices to add impetus to Vision 2030 which seeks to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle income economy.
Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Fred Moyo exhorted small scale miners to also embark on corporate social responsibility programmes and debunk the myth that only big corporates can support local communities.
He was speaking in reaction to plans by Mberengwa small scale gold miner Dr David Kilpin of Jumbo 91 to 93 blocks to build a primary school in Bvute communal lands where his operations are domiciled.
Dr Kilpin has been operating a gold mine in Village 5 in Bvute for over a decade and intends to expand support to the local community behond employment creation to support Vision 2030.
Dr Kilpin’s new school will have an enrollment capacity of more than 450 students.
Deputy Minister Moyo challenged more small scale miners to take a leaf from Dr Kilpin.
“Small scale miners should strive to be formalised, that is ensure they have legal status over claims and be a proper business entity with technical knowledge,”said Deputy Minister Moyo.
“This allows you to get capital funding to produce a true business entity. Such an entity then allows the miner to engange stakeholders to acquire social license or support from the community.”
He said the Second Republic wants businesses that support local commuties.
“You must respect the environment and norms and beliefs of the area where you are operating. You then engange in ploughing back projects to uplift your community —social support.”
According to Deputy Minister Moyo, Dr Kilpin deserved plaudits for his committment to uplifting local communities and support President Mnangagwa’s vision of making Zimbabwe an upper middle income society by 2030.
“This project (by Dr Kilpin) demonstrates that you don’t have to be a big corporate to support communities but that you have to be organised and have the desire and passion for corporate social responsibility,”he said.
Deputy Minister Moyo will preside over the ground-breaking of Dr Kilpin’s educational gift to the people of Bvute towards the end of next month.
Dr Kilpin has pledged to roll out community projects after fencing off his mines to protect local communities’ livestock from falling into pits and shafts.
