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Jena Mines fresh-air team commissioned, vows to win the national competition

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Jena Mines fresh-air team commissioned, vows to win the national competition

Mine Rescue Fresh-Air teams National Coordinator Mr Lameck Karikeka on Friday commissioned Kuvimba Mining House-owned Jena Mines FreshAir team with the team vowing to win in the upcoming national rescue competitions at Mimosa Mining Company.

Rudairo Mapuranga

According to Karikeka the team was well prepared and their station was well equipped to earn commissioning. He also wished them well at the coming national rescue competitions.

“I’m very happy for Jena Mines, the team was prepared and their station was well equipped with new equipment. Also, the team checking their medicals they are all fit, we are very happy for the team and we will be looking forward to seeing them participate at the national competitions,” Karikeka said.

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe after the commissioning of the team, Jena Mines General Manager Mika Mutove said the commissioning is a great achievement for Jena Mines and the greater Silobela area as it will help reduce loss of life in times of disaster.

“The commissioning of the Jena mine rescue team is a great achievement and its importance cannot be over-emphasised. We have a team to ensure in times of accidents we minimize loss of life. In times of disaster as a mine, we need an on-site team. Also, the coming in of the Jena rescue team is a milestone achieved for the greater Silobela area,” Mutove said.

Jena Mines Rescue team trainer Timothy Mapinde said the Jena Freshair team is ready to take the number one spot at National Rescue competitions.

“Being a brigades man needs courage and sacrifice. It’s an instruction that we are going to be number one, I promised and it should be done,” Mapinde said.

Adding on the mine Safety Health and Environment Quality (SHEQ) and rescue team Manager Tatenda Hapanyengwi said his team was ready to win at the coming competitions and intends to build a proto team next year.

“This event is a milestone for us as Jena Mines and for Kuvimba Mining House, we have done a fit we weren’t able to do for the past years but at the moment we now have a commissioned team. We are very happy, we are very proud and we thank the Mine Rescue Association for allowing us to be a commissioned team so that we are able to respond to all national callouts issued to us. We intend to participate in the national mine rescue competition at Mimosa end of this month. The goal is to go and win the competition for the nondoning team. In the near future we want to have a prototeam so we intend to acquire 8 sets so that we have a fresh-air team and a prototeam. The commissioning is an advantage to the Midlands and the Silobela areas as we would be able to attend to all callouts within the region,” Hapanyengwi said.

A team member Ms Evelyn Tamirepi said, “We are going to be making history at the coming mine rescue competition”

From the old coordinate systems to the new standard

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From the old coordinate systems to the new standard

The mining industry has long been associated with traditional archaic systems, but the time has come for change. Neighbouring countries have already embraced digital platforms, and it’s clear that the country needs to catch up.

One of the key challenges Zimbabwe faces in this transition is standardizing the coordinate systems the country uses, a government official has said.

Speaking at the Association of Mine Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ) AGM and Conference representing the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Mr Charles Simbarashe Tahwa said that Zimbabwe is in the process of standardising the old coordinate systems to the new standard.

“We just want to move away from our traditional old archaic system to a new digital platform. It’s easy to do, ease of doing business, and all our neighbours are on that front, and we are the ones that are still lagging behind. One of the key issues is that we have to now standardize the coordinate systems that we use. And I’m sure you should be well aware of which system we are going to be using,” Tahwa said.

Under the leadership of Gabriel Mwale, AMSZ held its AGM and Conference last week in the resort town of Victoria Falls. The event brought together mine surveyors from various parts of the country and the region to exchange ideas, seek solutions and push forward the survey practice.

Key Issues which were discussed include The Mining Bill and the Role of Surveyors therein, Lobbying for increased technological investments in Mine Survey Offices nationwide, to enhance accuracy, efficiency and safety, Promoting the latest and cutting-edge global best practices and procedures, the Government Mine Surveyor’s Certificate of Competency, National Certification of Mine Survey Assistants to improve the accuracy of survey data collection and measurement and Plenary discussions on improving general services that Mine Surveyors provide to the Mining industry.

Meet the new Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development

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Meet the new Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development

The new Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development members list is now out.

Previously headed by Hon Edmond Mkaratigwa the Committee will now be headed by Hon. Matangira Remigious as the Chairperson.

Mkaratigwa is highly credited for transparency and solidifying the relationship between legislators and the public by engaging Mining Media publications to broadcast committee business to its rightful audience. This improved government public relations and helped attain full house attendance everywhere the Committee had workshops and public consultations. This made the Mines committee stand out to be one of the most popular in history.

The Matangira-led committee is expected to hit the ground running as President Mnangagwa gave the Legislators approximately 1 year to conclude the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill HB 10 2022 which did not sail through in the 9th parliament. The committee plays a pivotal role in shaping policies and legislation related to mining in Zimbabwe.

Below is the list in full:-

1.      Hon. Matangira R. T. (Chairperson)
2.      Hon. Chikomo T.
3.      Hon. Chinanzvavana C.
4.      Hon. Chokururama
5.      Hon. Gava A.
6.      Hon. Guyo P.
7.      HON. JERE F.
8.      Hon. Karumazondo T.
9.      Hon. Kundhlande
10.  Hon. Kuka
11.  Hon. Maburutse S.
12.  Hon. Mahachi  A.
13.  Hon. Majaya B.
14.  Hon. Makumire R.
15.  Hon. Mambipiri
16.  Hon. Mapfumo F. W.
17.  Hon. Marashe S.
18.  Hon. Matinyanya S.
19.  Hon. Maunganidze N. L.
20.  Hon. Moyo F.
21.  Hon. Mpasi J.
22.  Hon. Musweweshiri B.
23.  Hon. Nhatiso D.
24.  Hon. Nyathi T.
25.  Hon. Nyevera J.
26.  Hon Nyelele
27.  Hon. Samambwa E.
28.  Hon. Samson
29.  Hon. Sakupwanya P
30.  Hon. Tavaziva
31.  Hon. Tobaiwa J.
32.  Hon. Zvaipa I.
33.  Hon. Zhou Tsitsi

Duties of Parliamentary Portfolio Committees in Zimbabwe:-

a) Examine expenditure administration and policy of government departments and other matters falling under their jurisdictions as Parliament may, by resolution determine;

b) Consider and deal with all Bills other than the Constitutional Bill and Statutory Instruments or other matters which are referred to them by or under a resolution of the House or by the Speaker;

c) Consider or deal with an Appropriation of Money Bill or any aspect of an Appropriation or Money Bill referred to them by these Standing Orders or by resolution of the House;

d) Monitor, investigate, enquire into and make recommendations relating to any aspect of the legislative programme, budget, policy or any other matter it may consider relevant to the government department falling within the category of affairs assigned to them, and may for that purpose consult and liaise with such a department; and

e) Consider or deal with all international treaties, conventions and agreements relevant to them, which are from time to time negotiated, entered into or agreed upon.

Caledonia sets new production record

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Caledonia sets new production record

Victoria Falls Stock Exchange-listed gold-focused miner Caledonia Mining Corporation has set a new quarterly gold production record of 21 772 ounces at its Blanket mine in Gwanda, making the mine one of the most performing in the country.

Rudairo Mapuranga

The miner also recorded a three per cent gold production increase from 21 120 ounces produced in the corresponding quarter of 2022.

According to Caledonia CEO Mark Learmonth, gold produced during the nine months to 30 September 2023 was 55 244 ounces and last year, Blanket Mine produced a record 80 775 ounces against a set target of 80 000 ounces.

Learmonth said the company targeted between 75,000 and 80,000 ounces of gold in 2023.

He said Blanket was constructing a new tailings storage facility which is expected to have a life of at least 15 years. He said there is exploration currently going on at Blanket which will extend the life of the mine.

“I am pleased that Blanket is performing well and we have set a new quarterly production record.

I look forward to achieving our guidance of between 75,000 and 80,000 ounces of gold for 2023.

“We have invested heavily in Blanket over the last seven years, including investment this year to construct a new tailings storage facility which is expected to have a life of at least years, based on the current production profile, and will support production well into the future.

“Encouraging drill results at Blanket indicate that there is additional mineralisation that may, in due course, be accessed using the current infrastructure and which should further extend the life of Blanket.

“Blanket continues to provide a solid foundation for the Company, providing us with a platform for our other growth projects in Zimbabwe,” Learmonth said.

AMSZ wants Mines bill to define surveyors 

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AMSZ wants Mines bill to define surveyors 

The Association of Mine Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ) has pledged to work flat out to ensure that Mine surveyors are clearly defined and their duties clearly spelt in the Mines and Minerals bill.

Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking at the AMSZ Annual General Meeting and Conference in Victoria Falls on Thursday, the organisation President Mr Gabriel Mwale said AMSZ was going to make sure that the mines bill is made better for mine surveyors and that their roles and qualifications included in the bill for clear management of surveyor’s work.

He said the previous bill which was rejected by the cabinet had many flows as it did not clearly define the work and role of mine surveyors and what qualifications should they hold.

He said to protect the survey industry Mine surveyor’s certificate of competency should be made a requisite for all mine surveyors in Zimbabwe.

“We were able to participate in the mines draft bill and they are things that we were worried about, the bill was silent on the mining cadastre. As surveyors we are also not sure what our qualifications should be, we need to be sure to protect our industry. We need a definition of a mine surveyor. The Mines Surveyors Certificate of Competency represents us as mine surveyors it will be modelled according to the Mines and Minerals Act just like land surveyors. Land Surveyors are defined by the Land Act and what they do is defined in that Act. We will make sure that the mines bill is made better for surveyors,” Mwale said.

The Association of Mines Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ) AGM and Conference roars to life

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The Association of Mines Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ) AGM and Conference roars to life

The Association of Mines Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ) AGM and Conference is now underway at Victoria Falls Lodge.

Mine surveyors from Zimbabwe and beyond have assembled at the event which has seen attendance from most large-scale mining houses in Zimbabwe.

Running under the theme, “Strengthening the Mining Innovation Ecosystem through Investment, Technology, Skills, and Collaboration” will conclude at the end of the day tomorrow.

Key issues to be discussed at the event are:-

  1. The Mining Bill and the Role of Surveyors therein.
  2. Lobbying for increased technological investments in Mine Survey Offices nationwide, to enhance accuracy, efficiency and safety.
  3. Promoting the latest and cutting-edge global best practices and procedures.
  4. The Government Mine Surveyor’s Certificate of Competency.
  5. National Certification of Mine Survey Assistants to improve the accuracy of survey data collection and measurement.
  6. Plenary discussions on improving general services that Mine Surveyors provide to the industry.

About the Association of Mine Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ)

The (AMSZ) is an affiliate of The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe and was formed in 1985 as a Professional Non-Profit Body that represents the interests of the Mine Surveying Profession in Zimbabwe. It comprises of members from Mine Surveying Departments of various Mining Organizations, both locally and abroad, as well as other affiliate members from diverse technical fields related to Mine Surveying and the Mining Industry in general.

 

BREAKING: Gvt stops BayHorse rescue operations

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BREAKING: Gvt stops BayHorse rescue operations

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Mr Pfungwa Kunaka has announced the suspension of rescue operations at Bayhorse Mine in Chegutu due to what he said was a government directive as agreed in the cabinet meeting of the 10th of October 2023, Mining Zimbabwe has learnt.

According to the Chegutu Miners Association chairperson, Kunaka announced that, the government made this decision in accordance with the reports which were sent by the District CPU as being guided by the appointed rescue team which confirmed the status of the underground as no longer safe for the rescue operations.

Kunaka was reportedly accompanied by Ministry of Mines officials both from the Head and Provincial Mines and Mining Development offices Provincial and District CPU members. Present also were Chief Ngezi and his traditional teams, local councillors, relatives of the deceased and the community at large.

After Mr Kunaka announced the suspension of the rescue operations, Mambo Ngezi advised the relatives of the deceased to briefly wait for the date to be announced by his office for the cleansing ceremony of the mine prior to the ritual procedures to be taken by families of the deceased according to one’s tradition.

The Ministry of Mines announced only the suspension of the retrieval operations, not mining operations but promised the attendees that the Ministry engaged the mine owner on how and when the mine can resume the mining operations. The permanent secretary announced the engagement with the mine owner on the possible assistance that might be accessed by the relatives of those whom the rescue team failed to retrieve.

Commenting on the move, Chegutu Miners Association Chairman Mr Innocent Nicks said the decision was the right one considering the danger rescuers face from the unstable ground.

“I can safely say the government has taken a good stance considering the danger of continuation of retrieval operations otherwise we would have endangered more people. The decision made by the government was based on the recommendations made by the rescue team therefore there will be no one to blame,” Nicks said.

The Chegutu area is not new to bodies abandoned after rescue attempts become dangerous. In 2020 five ASM lost their lives when a shaft collapsed trapping the men underground. Only one body was retrieved and the rest remain underground with all hope lost for exhumation for decent burial.

Gold deliveries increase by over 1 percent

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Gold deliveries increase by over 1 percent

Gold deliveries by large-scale producers increased by approximately 1.1 per cent during the first three quarters of 2023 compared to the same period last year with deliveries by Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners (ASM) decreasing by 19.2 per cent, official figures released by the country’s sole gold buyer and exporter Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) show.

Rudairo Mapuranga

ASM, however, accounted for approximately 61.6 per cent of the total deliveries during the first three periods of the year.

During the first three-quarters deliveries by large-scale producers increased by 1.06145 per cent to 8629.7163 kgs in 2023 from 8539.0780 kgs in 2022 with deliveries by the ASM decreasing by 19.2161 per cent to  13836.1790 kgs in 2023 from  17127.4054 kgs in 2022. Overall deliveries decreased by 12.4699 per cent to 22465.8953 kgs from 25666.4834 kgs in 2022.

In September 2023 gold deliveries by large-scale producers decreased by 2.8 per cent to 961.1361 kgs in 2023 compared to 988.3511 kgs in 2022, with deliveries by small-scale miners decreasing by 9.13582 per cent to 2169.5769 kgs in 2023 compared to 2387.7141 kgs in 2022. Overall deliveries decreased by 7.3 per cent to 3130.7130 kgs from 3376.0652 kgs in 2022.

Deliveries by the large-scale producers in August stood at 1100.6512 kgs compared to 1379.1247 kgs from Small-scale producers with total deliveries in August standing at 2 479.7759 kgs. Total deliveries for August decreased by 7.3 per cent compared to 2674 3806 kgs delivered in July.

For the period January to July, total deliveries by large-scale producers increased by 1.6 per cent to 6567.9290 kgs from 6464.1939 kgs in 2022. However, small-scale miners’ deliveries decreased 17.5 per cent from 12472.2436 kgs delivered in 2022 to 10287.4774 in 2023. Total deliveries by both producers during the period January to July 2023 decreased by approximately 11 per cent to 16855.4064 kgs from 18936.4375 kgs delivered during the same period last year.

Total deliveries by the large-scale gold producers during the period January to June 2023 increased by approximately 0.4 per cent from 5498.4087 kgs delivered in 2022 to 5519.9795 kgs.

However, deliveries by Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners (ASM) decreased by 17.31 per cent to 8661.0463 kgs from 10474.1159 kgs.

Also, total deliveries by both the large scale and the ASM declined by approximately 11.22 per cent to 14181.0258 kgs from 15972.5246 kgs.

In June alone, large-scale producers delivered 1032.5263 kgs from 837.1151 kgs. While the ASM deliveries decreased by 13.5131 percent with 1702.0787 kgs delivered in June from 1968.0192 kgs delivered in June last year. June total deliveries also decreased 2.5 per cent to 2734.6047 kgs from 2805.1343 kgs delivered in 2022.

There is an urgent need for financial institutions in Zimbabwe to look for opportunities and ways to capacitate Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners (ASGM) to ramp up production in the wake of heavy rains which saw deliveries by the miners decline by 18.2 per cent during the first 5 months of 2023 compared to the same period last year.

Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners last year accounted for over 67 per cent of gold deliveries to the country’s sole gold buyer and exporter Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR). FGR General Manager Mr Peter Magaramombe attributed the improved contribution of small-scale producers to timeous payments to the miners by his organization.

Last year gold deliveries reached FGR’s target of 35 tonnes, the increase in deliveries is attributed to ASM whose deliveries increased by 30.3 per cent to 24.1 tonnes from 18.5 tonnes delivered in 2021. Deliveries by large-scale producers were approximately 11.2 tonnes in 2022 as well as in 2021.

Gold deliveries to FGR in the first quarter of this year (2023) plunged 20 per cent to 6.194 in the first quarter of the year from 7.694 tonnes in the same period last year.

“Gold output has declined for the first quarter ended March 31 2023 to 6.194 tonnes from 7.694 tonnes during the comparable period last year due to heavy rains during the first two months of the year,” FGR general manager Peter Magaramombe said.

Zimbabwe gold buying prices/ gram 10 October 2023

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Zimbabwe gold buying prices/ gram 10 October 2023

Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) official gold buying prices/ gram. See the Zimbabwe gold buying prices/ gram today 10 October 2023.

SG 90% AND ABOVE US$56.07/g
SG ABOVE 85% BUT BELOW 90% US$55.47g
SG ABOVE 80% BUT BELOW 85% US$54.88/g
SG ABOVE 75% BUT BELOW 80% US$54.29/g
SAMPLE BELOW 10g BUT ABOVE 5g US$53.40/g
FIRE ASSAY CASH US$56.36/g

NB: Fire Assay cash price is for gold above 100gs, no sample is deducted.
For the Fire Assay Transfer price, a sample of not more than 10g is deducted
A 2% royalty is charged on all deposits (small-scale miners)
A 5% royalty is set for Primary Producers

Cash available. Fidelity Gold Refinery prices will be changing daily to match world market prices.

Corrupt syndicates capture Midlands Mines office – ACT-SA

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Corrupt syndicates capture Midlands Mines office – ACT-SA

THE Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-SA) has released a report exposing rampant corruption allegedly taking place at the Midlands Provincial Mining Department (PMD) offices, SE reports.

Describing the activities as a threat to national development, the report, dated October 6 and compiled by the organisation’s director Obert Chinhamo, says the mines offices had been captured by corrupt syndicates.

“The office is accused of corruption and maladministration that threatens national development and the attainment of Zimbabwe’s vision 2030. ACT-SA has from 2018 been receiving several reports that the mines office was captured by some individuals, including some political elites, rich miners and peggers who dictate how the office operates and how decisions are made,” the report read.

“In addition, there are reports of the existence of syndicates involving officials at the offices of the mine that snatch the poor and less-connected people’s mines. This corruption continues unabated and most of the time with impunity.”

The report also revealed that some individuals bypass the long queues at the provincial mining director’s secretary office, with some spending long hours with the mines officials, while miners who would have travelled long distances from places as far as Gokwe North and Mberengwa were ignored.

“Based on corruption tip-offs and complaints that ACT-SA has been receiving over the years, we can conclude that the arrests previously witnessed targeting some PMDs constitute a ‘drop in an ocean’ since almost everyone at the Midlands PMD’s office is accused of corruption.

“It is alleged that the entire PMD’s office feeds on corruption, and all those refusing to pay bribes suffer irreparable harm. Their applications take a long time to be processed. In some cases, rich mining claims are taken and given to those who pay bribes. Furthermore, registered peggers pay bribes to expedite processing of their clients’ applications,” the report further read.

ACT-SA accused the Midlands mines office of issuing fake mining licences, co-ordinates and supporting documents.

“Documents are sometimes lost and deliberately misplaced to punish all those refusing to pay bribes. In addition, the PMD’s office largely serves the interests of the political elite who have amassed vast mining claims for speculative purposes at the expense of some genuine miners who would have put them to good use,” alleges the report.

ACT-SA challenged the Mines minister to clean up the ministry and restore sanity in the way things were done.

Efforts to get a comment from Mines Minister Zhemu Soda were fruitless as his mobile phone number went unanswered since Friday last week.

SouthernEye

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