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Oliver Kazunga
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has urged Government to reserve small-scale mining for locals, arguing foreigners should primarily be considered for larger, capital-intensive projects.
Speaking at the ZMF strategic meeting in Harare last week, president Henrietta Rushwaya highlighted the need to reserve small-scale mining activities for locals and the importance of local participation in the sector. ZMF represents artisanal and small-scale mining players.
The small-scale mining sector is dominated by gold miners, who contribute at least 6o percent of national gold output.
“On this particular one, we are making our voices heard by the Government,” said Ms Rushwaya.
She argued that allowing foreign investors to compete with locals on smaller mining operations was tantamount to imposing unfair competition on locals and undermines the spirit of empowerment.
Ms Rushwaya also criticised mining along riverbeds, warning of serious environmental repercussions.
She accused some foreign firms of engaging in this practice, saying local people were primarily employed as low-skilled workers.
“Let’s come up with a list of the culprits and submit it to relevant authorities,” she advised.
Ms Rushwaya urged authorities to take the ill-treatment of some local mine workers seriously, highlighting the need for amicable resolutions of work-related disputes.
In alignment with Vision 2030, Ms Rushwaya said the ZMF will continue to urge its members to adhere to all statutory requirements within the mining sector.
Speaking to journalists after her address, Ms Rushwaya said there is need for continued Government support for small-scale miners through initiatives that enhance production.
This support is crucial in achieving the aspirations of Vision 2030, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income society.
Speaking at the same event, Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) general manager, Mr Peter Magaramombe, said his company would continue implementing various strategies to boost output from artisanal and small-scale miners in 2025.
The strategies include the establishment of one-stop shop custom elution service centres across the country.
“”In the year 2025, we are going to support more and more of our artisanal and small-scale miners so that they increase gold production and ultimately increase gold deliveries to FGR,” he said.
“We are talking in terms of support through things like, for example, the compressors, generators, hammer mills, headgears and consumables
“Fidelity is going to establish one-stop custom elution service centres and . . . we are going to start with Mberengwa, Kadoma and Makaha in Mutoko.”
The custom elution facilities will offer a range of services, including assaying, chemical supply, elution and gold buying.
This integrated approach will benefit artisanal and small-scale miners by streamlining the gold processing and selling process, minimising risks such as gold theft and financial losses throughout the value chain.
In 2024, Zimbabwe’s gold output surged by 21,2 percent to a record high of 36,4 tonnes, with artisanal and small-scale miners contributing 23,7 tonnes to FGR), the sole buyer of gold produced in the country.
Online Reporter