Accreditation of ASM has “stopped violence” in Norton
The call by Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) and Norton Miners Association to accredit small scale and artisanal miners, the initiative which was pioneered in Norton and is expected to soon spread to other Associations in the country has stopped machete-wielding criminals’ pouncing of mines on nearly daily basis through the “know your miner” operation in which no one not is allowed to dig without carrying the miners accreditation.
Rudairo Dickson Mapuranga
According to Privelage Moyo, the Norton Miners Association Chairperson, since all miners were issued with the accreditation, there has been no record of violence in the sector the positive development which is ascribed to the issue of accreditation.
“We have miners now working in an orderly manner as compared to the past…” said Moyo.
According to Privalage Moyo, the Norton miners Association is now using the slogan “know your miner” in which anyone who is found without an accreditation regardless of the fact that they have mining licences are not allowed to mine in the area as a way to restore sanity in the mining sector.
“In light of restoring order in the ASM sector as Norton miners association, we have found it fit to use the concept we now call “know your miner” which is by way of identity cards. We need to fight these machete gangs who are destroying the backbone of our mining industry which is the hard workers, the miners” said Moyo.
Moyo also said that Norton Miners were very proud to contribute to the nation’s fiscus and work tirelessly in order to disinfect the sector from the violence which people has associated it with.
“Every miner is proud of what he does honestly and with clean hands. We wish to set a standard in the mining sector. ASM sector is contributing immensely to our economy hence the need to be proud of who we are. In addition, we call upon legislators and our president that we are geared up for the 2023 12 billion dollars revenue in the mining sector” Moyo.
The Norton Miners Chairperson also said that the mining sector has the capacity to contribute to the economy of Zimbabwe by tripling the growth of the sector provided that, the government supports artisanal and small scale miners financially and through healthy policies, rules and regulations.
Moyo also blasted a selfishness seed that has been planted in the sector saying that it harms the growth of the sector. Moyo encouraged unity in the sector as a factor that is lacking for the transformation of the industry.
“All we seek and ask is just a handful of things, support financially, technical, machinery, protective policy and insurance, simplified mining rules and regulations. We are able to increase our economic contributions more than three times. We in the ASM sector we have seen the light that no one is coming from outside our borders to help us but ourselves to transform our nation into a once vibrant economy of Africa. We call upon all those still roaming the streets in search of jobs, please let’s join hands and be productive in the mining sector. Once we do it in unit and togetherness we will archive the best for this nation. What we need to fight against, is the selfish mentality of trying to kill your fellow black brothers so that you may individually benefit” Moyo said.
The small scale and artisanal sector’s contribution to the country’s fiscus has been of magnificent impact to the country, with the sector accounting for over 60 per cent of the gold produced in the first half of 2019. The sector has been tarnished by criminal activities that target small-scale miners under the pretence of being miners. The issue of accreditation will quickly help in identifying criminals in the sector as has happened in Norton.