Online Reporter
Johnsias Mutonhori
CHENG-XI Chengetai Mining Investments has poured US$1 million into artisanal and small-scale miners in Shurugwi as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative to formalise the sector and boost productivity.
The investment was used to acquire a 120-hectare mining site in the Bonza area, develop the site, and acquire mining equipment for artisanal miners who were operating in Wanderer, now under Chen-Xi Chengetai Mining Investments.
On Monday, the miners received a consignment of mining equipment worth over US$200,000, which was officially handed over by Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, at the Government complex in Gweru.
The mining equipment includes complete round mills, six-beat hammer mills, compressors, 20kV generators, water pumps, boreholes, and five complete medium-size jaw crushers.
Chen-Xi Chengetai Mining Investments also invested in infrastructure development at the new site, including roads, drilled solarised boreholes, built block offices and ablution facilities.
Chen-Xi Chengetai Mining Investments general manager, Mr Simon Karimanzira, said artisanal and small-scale miners were key players in the mining sector that contribute significantly to the national Gross Domestic Product, hence the need to empower them.
“When we came to Shurugwi, we discovered that small-scale miners are key players in the mining sector, who at times lack modern skills, equipment, and knowledge to be more productive,” he said.
“We also identified a need for formalisation of artisanal miners, with the goal of creating a more conducive mining environment that is safe for them, safe for the environment, and ultimately more productive.”
Wanderer is a famous informal mining site, popular with artisanal miners in Shurugwi.
The informalisation of Wanderer has made it unsafe for miners, especially women, due to violence and the rate of accidents, which has also become synonymous with artisanal mining.
The takeover by Chen-Xi has been commended by various stakeholders, expressing optimism about the new site potential to improve the livelihoods, with artisanal miners hoping that it will be more organised, safe and productive.
“Wanderer was more chaotic and unsafe for us women in mining,” said Jessica Zingoma, one of the beneficiaries of the mining equipment.
“I am hoping that at Bonza, it will be more organised and safer for us.”
“I am optimistic that with this modern mining equipment, we are going to be more productive,” said Gacia Muchena, another artisanal miner.
“At Wanderer, mining was more manual, which heavily affected productivity.”
Minister Ncube applauded public-private partnerships (PPPs), highlighting the potential to drive economic growth and improve community livelihoods.
He noted how PPPs foster empowerment programmes as the country forges towards achieving an upper-middle economy by 2030.
“This showcases the entrenchment of public-private partnerships and joint ventures that bolster GDP growth and improvement of community livelihoods through employment creation, production, productivity and increased incomes,” said Minister Ncube.
“The youth have indeed been empowered to engage in safe, organised, formal, and productive mining where supervision of mining activities by EMA, the Ministry of Mines, and other entities has been enhanced, and every ounce of gold will be accounted for through Fidelity, in compliance with the Mines and Minerals Act.”
The minister also commended the relationship between Zimbabwe and China, for giving birth to high-impact projects.
“I commend the New Dispensation’s Engagement and Re-engagement Agenda, which has promoted bilateral and multilateral agreements under the South-to-South Cooperation in general and the People’s Republic of China in particular, that have boosted investments across various sectors of the economy in our country,” he said.
“Cheng-Xi Investments is one such testimony of the beneficial policy, with others that include Dinson Iron and Steel Manufacturing Plant here in Midlands Province.
“I, therefore, commend Cheng-Xi for demonstrating this commitment through the provision of tangible and impactful people-centric programmes and projects.”
The mining company is involved in various developmental initiatives, including the construction of a milling centre for small-scale miners in Shurugwi, provision of solarised boreholes and village business units to communities, donation of ICT equipment to schools, road and water infrastructure support to Shurugwi Town Council, and upgrading of Shurugwi Mortuary, among other projects.
