Small-scale miners have called on Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) to expand its operations by investing in exploration and ensuring the availability of critical mining supplies such as explosives and chemicals, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Speaking to this publication on the sidelines of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) Strategic Meeting held at Cresta Lodge, ZMF Matabeleland South Chair Philemon Mokuele highlighted the difficulties miners faced in 2024 due to shortages in key inputs and a lack of geological data, which continue to hinder gold production and delivery.
Mokuele stressed that without a consistent supply of explosives and chemicals, gold output remains vulnerable to disruptions, adding that it is crucial for FGR to intervene by facilitating the availability of these resources.
“We are facing quite a number of challenges, especially last year. We were facing a challenge of explosives and chemicals… This is something Fidelity must look into,” Mokuele said.
He emphasized the importance of FGR playing a more significant role in ensuring a stable supply of key inputs for small-scale miners by investing in the production and distribution of explosives and chemicals, critical for mining operations.
In addition to addressing supply chain challenges, Mokuele underscored the need for FGR to invest in exploration activities. He pointed out that while miners are being given loans to boost production, a lack of comprehensive geological information often leads to failure in meeting loan obligations.
“We also expect the government through Fidelity to venture into exploration. As small-scale miners, we can have all these claims, and they can give us the loans. But as long as we don’t know where the resource is, we end up failing to pay this money. We advise the government through Fidelity to buy diamond drilling rigs—at least one diamond drilling rig per province—and do proper exploration so that they find a proper project where they know the resource. It won’t fail,” he said.
Mokuele believes that if FGR were to engage in proper exploration efforts, this would significantly increase gold production and enable small-scale miners to meet their loan repayments while contributing to the country’s gold bullion targets.
He also shed light on the social contributions of small-scale miners in their communities. Beyond mining, they are actively engaged in supporting youth sports and aiding vulnerable groups, such as orphans and disadvantaged children.
“As small-scale miners, we are helping our communities; we are doing a lot in our communities. We are sponsoring sports like soccer and basketball. We are also assisting in orphanages, buying groceries, donating, and supporting those who are less privileged,” he said.
Mokuele’s comments reflect the broader social responsibility initiatives that small-scale miners have undertaken, despite the challenges they face in the sector.
