Small-scale miners urged to go formal

George Maponga

Masvingo Bureau

THE Government has challenged the small-scale mining sector to formalise operations and adhere to good environmental practices to add impetus to Vision 2030, which seeks to transform the country into an upper-middle-income economy.

Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Dr Fred Moyo on Monday, exhorted small-scale miners to also embark on corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes and debunk the myth that only big corporates can support local communities.

He was responding to plans by Mberengwa small-scale gold miner Mr David Kilpin, who operates the Jumbo 91 to 93 blocks, to build a primary school in Bvute communal lands, where his mining operations are based.

Mr Kilpin has been running a gold mine in Village 5, Bvute, for over a decade and intends to expand his support to the local community beyond employment creation, in line with Vision 2030.

The new school will have an enrolment capacity of more than 450 students.

In an interview with The Herald, Deputy Minister Moyo urged more small-scale miners to take a leaf from Mr Kilpin’s book.

“Small-scale miners should strive to be formalised — that is, ensure they have legal status over claims and become proper business entities with technical knowledge,” said Deputy Minister Moyo. “This allows you to get capital funding to become a true business entity. Such an entity then enables the miner to engage stakeholders and acquire a social license, or support, from the community.”

He said the Second Republic wants businesses that support local communities.

“You must respect the environment and the norms and beliefs of the area where you are operating. You then engage in plough-back projects to uplift your community — that is social support.”

Deputy Minister Moyo said Mr Kilpin deserved praise for his commitment to uplifting local communities and supporting President Mnangagwa’s vision of making Zimbabwe an upper-middle-income society by 2030.

“This project (by Mr 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 is expected to preside over the ground-breaking ceremony for Mr Kilpin’s educational gift to the people of Bvute towards the end of next month.