Online Reporter
An expansion programme worth hundreds of thousands is on the brink of being rolled out by Duration Gold at the Gwanda-based Vubachikwe Mine, which, when completed, will dovetail with the traditional underground mining structure the mine operated pre-strike of 2022.
The expansion programme will see the ML-16 (mining Lease 16) being expanded to also include Vat leaching process complementing the CIL model the mine is built upon.
Following the granting of an Environmental Impact Assessment and only subject to being held back by a pending siting of works assessment, the expansion project will start with the construction of a whopping 30 vat leach tanks with a carrying capacity of 100 tonnes each, which will see increased production when the phased opening of other operations is finally completed by the company.
Speaking on the sidelines of the arrival of material for use in the construction of additional infrastructure, the mine’s spokesperson Robert Mukondiwa, emphasised the construction and eventual completion of construction would lead to job creation as well as job security.
“The immediate start of construction means the opening up of jobs for our youth in the construction industry, most of whom will be sought from our community, easing problems associated with youth unemployment on our community,” he said.
“The arrival of this construction equipment and clearing of the land for the new plant shows our continued commitment to ensuring adequate work is being carried out with a view to ensuring that we guarantee job security not only for the existing community but for our children and future generations,” he added.
The mine expects the rolling in of more construction material with the door being thrown open to a sizeable number of construction workers within the next fortnight when the project will start in earnest.
While the process was stalled by statutory bureaucracy, the eventual result of construction commencement will mean it was a wait well worth it eventually.
“True, we would have been pleased if things had been allowed to flow a lot easier and a lot faster as construction would have already started by now, but eventually, all good things come to those who wait as is most often said.
“We are pleased that we have gotten this far and are happy to show these obvious signs of life and commitment and to invest further amounts of money in our country and community,” said Mukondiwa.
“If we are to see our nation attain the pursuits of a 12 billion dollar economy premised on mining as the heart of growth, we have to have all hands on deck and we are committed with fresh verve to be a part of the President and nation’s dream and to help our country achieve and attain the targets of our collective dream,” concluded Mukondiwa.
derick.khumalo