adminMarvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
GWANDA youths have implored the government to allocate them some mining claims in the district so that they can positively contribute to the national economy.The youths raised the issue at a meeting held in Gwanda Town yesterday where the young people said failure to allocate them claims was forcing some of them to engage in illegal mining activities.
The Gwanda Youth in Mining Association chairperson, Philemon Mokuele, said it was disappointing that there were some idle mining claims in the district at a time when youths continue to suffer while working for other people.
“Youths are tired of working for other people because at the end of the day they benefit a little. We want to be allocated mining claims so that we can work for ourselves.
“There are some mining companies which have lots of claims lying idle but are not forthcoming in supporting us. However, when we approached Farvick Mine, they showed eagerness in working with us,” he said.
Mokuele said illegal mining had landed some youths in the district in jail, a situation that he said was painful and could be avoided.
“I encourage all the youths in mining to be registered with our association so that we help each other and are united. Let us be organised so that in the event assistance is provided, maybe in the form of equipment, it becomes easy for us to access it,” he added.
Lack of mining equipment remains a major challenge facing small-scale miners in the district despite the presence of many mineral deposits such as gold.
“Some of us are using shovels and it is really difficult for us. We need to have proper mining equipment so that we increase production,” one youth from West Nicholson said.
A war veteran and Zanu-PF member Cde David Linda encouraged the youths to work tirelessly and remain loyal to the nation and not to betray the ruling party.
He said youths should also avoid greed but work peacefully for the development of the nation.
derick.khumalo