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THE Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation (ZMF) has started identifying small scale miners with potential to benefit from the government’s $100 million mine mechanisation loan facility.
Zimbabwe and China signed a $100 million mine mechanisation loan agreement last year, which will see the government sourcing basic mining equipment from the Asian country for small-scale miners.
ZMF represents the interests of small-scale miners in the country.
The federation’s chief executive officer, Wellington Takavarasha, said they have sent application forms to their members countrywide.
“The $100 million mine mechanisation programme is now on the cards. We’ve been asked by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to identify 10 productive mines in each province of the country,” he said.
“Technical teams comprising geologists will soon descend on the identified small-scale mines to verify through an assessment criteria their operational level and output before they benefit from the $100 million facility. Potential beneficiaries should have bankable projects.”
As part of efforts to boost small-scale mining operations in the country, the government has in the past launched a similar programme under the Mining Industry Loan Fund, which has seen the miners securing basic equipment such as jackhammers, compressors and diesel and water pumps.
ZMF first vice president Morgan Moyo has said they would complement government efforts by increasing production.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter