The targeted gold deliveries to Fidelity Printers and Refiners of 40 tonnes might not be reached. This was according to Deputy Minister of Mines Hon Polite Kambamura.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The Deputy Minister said that the gold target set by the government might not be reached considering the delivery so far. However, the Minister was optimistic that delivery to Fidelity might be boosted since the government is employing measures to boost production.
“In January 1.77 tonnes was delivered instead of +2.3 tonnes of gold, we might not reach our gold target,” said Kambamura.
Last year small scale miners accounted for over 70 per cent of the gold delivered to Fidelity, thus disputes arising in the small scale mining sector are delaying production therefore according to Kambamura, his ministry is going to set up a dispute management team in order to ease mining.
According to the Deputy Minister, the government is creating gold centres were miners will receive the true value of their gold production, also, in these centres according to the Minister, miners will receive equipment thus increasing production.
“The government is also working towards gold centres, miners in those areas will receive equipment such as Jackhammers, explosives”, said the Deputy Minister.
Kambamura also said that the government is working towards selling explosives in local currency in order to reduce foreign currency spending.
“We are going to sell Explosives at those gold centres in local currency,” said Kambamura.
The Deputy Minister also said that at the gold centres, the government will employ Geologists who are going to provide information on minerals that are found at miners gold claims apart from the gold itself.
“We are also going to deploy geologist in order to empower miners of minerals knowledge,” said Kambamura
The Deputy Minister said that the government is looking into reviewing mining laws in order to recognise artisanal miners for them to operate freely.
“As government, we want to review mining laws into order to recognise the small scale miners. If small scale miners are recognized, it will be easy for them to access fans” said Kambamura.
