ASM contribute over 77% of total gold deliveries to Fidelity in January
The small-scale and artisanal mining (ASM) sector has continued to dominate in the country’s economic revival by contributing over 77 percent of total gold deliveries to Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) in January 2022.
Rudairo Mapuranga
Speaking at the ZMF Induction and Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on Wednesday, Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) President Ms. Henrietta Rushwaya said the ASM sector delivered a total of 1.4 tonnes of gold in January 2022.
The ASM sector in January of the previous years has been delivering an average of 400 kgs making this year’s contribution increase to about 350 percent. Total deliveries to Fidelity in January by both small and large producers was 1.8 tonnes.
“There are now more than 1.5 million artisanal and small scale miners in Zimbabwe but despite the international up and downs over the past two years due to the covid-19 pandemic with its uncertainties, the ASM remains a vibrant sector averaging 60 percent gold deliveries as recorded by FGR.
“Of note is the marked improvement of gold deliveries for the first month of 2022 where the ASM delivered 2.4 tonnes and over the years the ASM would only deliver 400 kgs for the first month. Credit also goes to the government for realizing the full potential and the significance of the ASM sector by incentivising our operations. We are a sector that compliments government effort,” Rushwaya said.
Rushwaya emphasized the need for miners to prioritize sustainable mining for the growth of the small-scale and artisanal miners in Zimbabwe.
“As a mother body for ASM we attach great importance to corporate governance and we believe that for organisations to be successful, competitive, and sustainable in the long term a high standard of governance is indispensable,” Rushwaya said.
Speaking at the same event Zimbabwe’s Ambassador at Large, Ambassador Eurbert Angel said there was a need to support the ASM sector in Zimbabwe through sustainable and smart mining.
“In Zimbabwe, we have witnessed a great positive contribution to our economy by artisanal miners, the bigger part of gold deliveries is now coming from the ASM sector. To increase productivity in this sector there is a need to support artisanal miners through sustainable smart mining,” Angel said.