adminLindani Dube Chronicle Reporter
Small-scale miners have thrown their weight behind Zanu-PF in the harmonised elections, saying the party has supported their operations since independence. Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Mr Trynos Nkomo said there were no small scale indigenous miners before independence.He said the success of the small scale mining sector was connected to the gains of the liberation struggle.
“There was no small-scale mining before 1980 so independence brought about key changes to the mining sector.
“The government has supported small scale mining through the federation initiated by the Ministry of Mines and Mining development in 2003,” said Mr Nkomo.
He said the ZMF had restructured to involve women and youths in the sector.
Mrs Evelyn Musharo was made third vice president, through a quota system.
Mr Morgan Moyo has been co-opted as the first vice president.
“Mrs Zinitha Nkomo has been appointed the national spokesperson, Mr Themba Sibanda is organising secretary and Mrs Angela Nyathi is the
Kwekwe regional representative,” said Mr Nkomo.
He said small scale miners made significant contribution to total gold output and at times their output was at par with big scale mining.
“In 2005-6 small-scale mining contributed 60 percent of the total output in the country. The government stance to procure and distribute tools like shovels and picks to registered miners boosted output,” he said.
Mr Moyo said ZMF had proposed the setting up of a mining bank to enable miners to access working capital.
He said instead of continuously extending a begging bowl to the Government, ZMF would set up a fund to procure mining equipment for members.
Newly appointed third vice-president, Mrs Evelyn Musharo hailed the recognition, appointment and empowerment of women in the federation.
Online Reporter