Online Reporter
Oliver Kazunga
THE artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector is now generating more than US$2 billion annually, cementing its position as one of the country’s biggest contributors to export earnings and rural livelihoods.
This comes as the Government begins enforcing a policy that reserves mining claims smaller than 40 hectares exclusively for small-scale miners.
The move forms part of sweeping reforms aimed at protecting the sector from encroachment by larger operators while unlocking its full productive potential as Zimbabwe targets a record US$5 billion in gold export earnings this year.
Small-scale miners now account for more than 60 percent of the country’s gold output, making the sector the backbone of Zimbabwe’s gold industry and a key pillar of economic growth, employment creation and foreign currency generation.
Speaking during the inaugural SMEs Indaba in Harare recently, Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Engineer Fred Moyo said Government was determined to remove long-standing obstacles that have prevented artisanal and small-scale miners from fully realising their potential.
“We have achieved unbelievable results. If we look at you having achieved over 60 percent of national gold output, this sector is generating well over US$2 billion worth of turnover. There are very few small-scale sectors that achieve that kind of turnover. I think we should applaud them,” said Eng Moyo.
Government, he said, had begun enforcing its policy reserving mining claims measuring less than 40 hectares exclusively for artisanal and small-scale miners, warning that larger operators would no longer be allowed to work such concessions.
