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Zimberly Mine blasting engender elephant turmoil in Hwange

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Zimberly Mine blasting engender elephant turmoil in Hwange

Operations of Zimberly Mine in Hwange have elephants going wild and entering neighbourhoods as they run away from blasting carried out by the mine, Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) Executive Director Farai Maguwu has said.

According to Maguwu, since the opening of Zimberly Mine, Elephants have been causing havoc in communities near the mine with a recent situation where elephants destroyed a water tank at Lusumbami Primary School.

“Elephants have caused havoc at a Lusumbami Pry School in Hwange and recently destroyed a water tank erected by MP for Hwange, Hon Molokole using CDF funds. Who must take responsibility for replacing the tank and the tank stand?

“Since the opening of Zimberly Mine about 500 metres away, elephants have been entering neighbourhoods as they run away from blasting carried by the mine,” Maguwu said.

Maguwu said the residents have been complaining that houses are now cracking due to blasting by the mining firm.

“Children are now at great risk from these elephants. According to locals houses are cracking due to blasting. Who authorized mining a few metres from a residential area and a school?” Maguwu said.

Mimosa donates learning equipment to School of Mines

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Mimosa donates learning equipment to School of Mines

Mimosa Mining Company has donated learning equipment to the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM).

Rudairo Mapuranga

The midlands-based Platinum Group of Metal (PGM) producer is considered as one of the mines that are critical to the achievement of the US$12 billion mining sector.

“As part of Mimosa’s efforts to develop the skills required in the Zimbabwe mining sector, Mimosa recently donated learning equipment to the Zimbabwe School of Mines’ Department of Geology and Metallurgy. This included four geological microscopes equipped with a camera and digital connectivity to enable online sharing of images by lecturers and students. Mimosa’s donation will enhance the school’s capacity to develop and nurture students and support their journey to become productive members of the mining industry,” the company said.

Through the US$12 billion mining industry, the Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASM) sector is expected to professionalise, formalise, regularise and grow from small-scale to medium industry. Mimosa’s efforts to equip the School of Mines with equipment is a great gesture toward the development and growth of the ASM industry.

Recently Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) Mashonaland West Province Chairperson Mr Timothy Chizuzu urged young graduates from the Zimbabwe School of Mines to form syndicates and acquire mining concessions in the country at the same time seeking government and experienced miners’ help in running those operations.

“There should be a skill exchange program in the sector, all small-scale miners should employ graduates to curb unemployment at the same time exchanging ideas with the youth people hence promoting the growth of small-scale mining to medium scale.

“Young mining graduates should also form syndicates to acquire claims and start mining as professionals,” Chizuzu said.

Platinum Group Metals (PGMs)

Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) are essential and precious metals which include platinum, palladium, rhodium, iridium, osmium, and ruthenium. These metals are known for their purity, high melting points and unique catalytic properties. In addition to their oxidation and reduction properties, they are also extremely resistant to corrosion. PGMs are utilized in a number of industrial processes, technologies and commercial applications. Their unique chemical and physical properties make PGMs an excellent raw material, catalyst and ingredient for manufacturing processes. Consumer and industrial products made with platinum and other PGMs include flat panel monitors, glass fibre, medical tools, computer hard drives, nylon and razors, among others. PGMs play a critical role in autocatalysis and pollution control in the automotive sector. The bulk of global PGMs are mined in Southern Africa and Russia.

Zimplats donates firefighting equipment to a Children’s home

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Zimplats donates firefighting equipment to a Children’s home

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the country’s biggest Platinum Group of Metal (PGM) producer Zimplats in partnership with Fire-fight Trust recently donated firefighting equipment to Manhinga village Children’s home, an orphanage in Manicaland province.

Rudairo Mapuranga

According to Zimplats’ parent company, South Africa-based Implats, the firefighting equipment included 50 50 fire beaters which were made from used fabric conveyor belts from the mine showing that used equipment can be recycled or reused for other tasks.

“Zimplats, in partnership with Fire-fight Trust, recently donated firefighting equipment to Manhinga village Children’s home, an orphanage in Zimbabwe’s Manicaland province. The firefighting equipment included 50 fire beaters, which were made from used fabric conveyor belts from the mine,” Implats said.

Zimplats has continued to abide by its values of giving back to communities, the company started the year 2022 on a high note by donating to 10 charity organizations to alleviate poverty in its mining communities.

Writing on its Facebook page, said it has embarked on creating affordable housing for its employees.

Zimplats earlier this year partnered with the Mhondoro Ngezi Rural District Council (MNRDC) to construct a COVID-19 isolation centre, with Zimplats donating the furniture and equipment valued at US$43 000.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Zimplats has demonstrated its core values of respect, care and delivery by donating ventilators, oxygen concentrators, oxygen tanks, disinfectants, sanitisers and knapsack sprayers and surgical masks to 8 hospitals as part of efforts to empower medical institutions.

The company has been instrumental in the fight against Covid-19 in Zimbabwe to help President HE Emmerson Mnangagwa for the country to achieve herd immunity by year-end.

Management of Zimplats has activated a vaccination programme for all employees (including contractors) and their dependents, placing the Group on a firm footing to fight the pandemic in the workplace in the future.

The platinum giant’s operations continue to be under strict adherence to Covid-19 management protocols which were developed in Financial Year 2020 and reviewed throughout the year to respond to changing circumstances.

Invictus given the nod to explore the whole Muzarabani oil fields

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Invictus given the nod to explore the whole Muzarabani oil fields

Invictus Energy has been given the right to explore the whole of Muzarabani oil fields with the company’s acreage now covering the entire conventional oil and gas play fairway in Cabora Bassa Basin.

Rudairo Mapuranga

According to Invictus Managing Director Scott McMillan, the Exploration Licences cover a combined area of approximately 360,000 hectares, with EPOs 1848 and 1849 each covering an area of approximately 130,000 hectares and the current Special Grant 4571 licence area covering a further 100,000 hectares.

“We are extremely pleased to have completed the assignment of the exploration rights which sees our footprint cover the entire conventional oil and gas play fairway in the Cabora Bassa Basin,” he said.

McMillan said, this newly expanded basin master position, combined with the high-quality seismic data acquired in the CB21 Survey, has provided the company with a material portfolio of high potential prospects and leads. He added saying, multiple drill-ready prospects in the newly identified Basin Margin play have been mapped along the southern basin bounding fault, which displays similarities to the East Africa Rift “String of Pearls” that resulted in material discoveries in the Lokichar Basin in Kenya and Albertine Graben in Uganda.

“In relation to our first well Mukuyu-1, the rig maintenance is nearing completion and the final outstanding well services equipment will arrive in the coming days,” McMillan said.

He said, an Independent Prospective Resource estimate for the Basin Margin area including the Baobab prospect is nearing completion and will be released once finalised.

“Following the rig acceptance once the commissioning and testing have been completed it will allow for the spud of Mukuyu-1, the first well in our high-impact exploration campaign which will then be followed by Baobab-1.

“Subject to making an opening discovery with either Mukuyu-1 or Baobab-1, it could potentially provide Invictus with future discoveries on a large scale within the basin.”

Police arrest two for lithium ore smuggling attempt

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Police arrest two for lithium ore smuggling attempt

Two Mutoko men appeared at the Mutoko Magistrates Court on Wednesday charged with attempting to smuggle 40 tonnes of lithium ore out of the country using a South African registered truck.

Livingstone Barnet (32) and Raison Murima (30) were arrested on September 7, 2022 by police at a roadblock. One of the suspects identified as Tapiwa Nyauchi is on the run.

Barnet and Murima appeared before Mutoko magistrate Elijah Sibanda who remanded them out of custody to September 26 on $30 000 bail.

The truck remains at Mutoko police station laden with the ore pending  laboratory tests on the mineral content of the ore.

According to the State outline, the suspects face charges of contravening Section 368 of the Mines and Minerals Act relating to prospecting for any mineral, mineral ore or natural gas without a license or permit.

Allegations are that on September 7, 2022 and at Rukanda business centre, Mutoko, the accused persons were intercepted by police who searched their truck and discovered 40 tons of lithium ore.

The duo revealed that they had extracted the ore from Chishambiro area, in Mudzi. Upon arriving at the ‘mine’ recovered two drill bits, one generator and some shovels.

In court, prosecutor Nathan Mujuru said smuggling of minerals must be viewed as economic sabotage, and must attract a hefty sentence.

“‘Considering that the motor vehicle the accused were using has foreign number plates from South Africa. The smuggling of minerals in this country amounts to economic sabotage that has cost revenue loss and should not be tolerated,’’ Mujuru told the court.

The accused persons had no mining certificates, or any other documents authorising them to remove any mineral from one place to the other.

Newsday

Mines to Energy Park to place Zim amongst Lithium battery producers

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Mines to Energy Park to place Zim amongst Lithium battery producers
The establishment of the country’s first Mines to Energy Park in Mapinga Mashonaland West Province will make Zimbabwe a producer of lithium-ion batteries, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.
Rudairo Mapuranga
Speaking at the signing ceremony to approve the proposed Mines to Energy Park by Chinese investors Eagle Canyon International Group Holding Limited and Pacific Goal Investment that will see the processing of metals including graphite, nickel, chrome, lithium, copper and platinum, Mnangagwa said the park will place the country amongst one of the biggest battery producers in the world.
“The Mines to Energy Park will augment my government’s thrust on value addition and beneficiation of minerals as well as bolster the crucial role that mineral value chains in the national industrialisation agenda. The proposed Mines to Energy Park will mark the inception of lithium-ion battery value chain in Zimbabwe. It is set to place Zimbabwe amongst the world producers of lithium-ion batteries while contributing to the growth of a resilient clean global energy economy,” President Mnangagwa said.
Speaking at the same event the country’s Vice President Dr Constantine Chiwenga said the Mines to Energy park is going to make Zimbabwe commit to a clean energy future.
“Since the inception of the Second Republic, Zimbabwe has been the favourite destination for investors from around the world.
 “The mining to energy park is not only going to boost Zimbabwe’s economic growth and development, but it indicates Zimbabwe’s commitment towards clean energy.
“Our country is thus well positioned to capitalise on the significant opportunities presented by the lithium-ion battery era,” VP Chiwenga said.

Zim approves energy park that will fetch over US$13 billion annually

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Zim approves energy park that will fetch over US$13 billion annually
The government of Zimbabwe has approved the country’s first value addition and beneficiation park which on completion fetches an annual revenue of over US$13 billion for the country.
Rudairo Mapuranga
The proposed energy park by a group of Chinese investors, Eagle Canyon International Group Holding Limited and Pacific Goal Investment will process metals including graphite, nickel, chrome, lithium and platinum was given a go-ahead by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon Winston Chitando at a ceremony held at State House which was overseen by the President Mnangagwa on Friday.
According to Eagle Canyon Director Lionel Mhlanga, the multi-billion dollar project will be a world-class project by 2025 and it will fetch the country over US$13 billion annually on completion.
“The park will be Zimbabwe’s centre of value addition and beneficiation of minerals. This multi-billion dollar project on completion will have an annual turnover exceeding over US$13 billion. Phase one of this project will see the construction of two, 300MW thermal power stations together with a nickel sulphate refinery, graphite refinery and a nickel-chrome alloy refinery plant, these plants are expected to be fully operationally by the year 2025,” Mhlanga said.
Mhlanga said, as the world is looking forward to a green future through the creation of clean energy, the Energy Park will help the country benefit from the green energy revolution.
“The World Bank has forecast a 500 per cent increase in demand for minerals and metals needed to deploy wind, solar or geothermal power by the year 2050,” said Mr Mhlanga.
Speaking at the event President Mnangagwa said he was delighted to facilitate and promote the establishment of the first Mines to Energy Park in Mapinga, Mashonaland West Province. He said the country was eager to implement clean energy projects.
“This agreement attests to my Government’s commitment to implement clean energy projects as critical enablers to leapfrog the modernisation and industrialization of Zimbabwe,” he said.
He said the Mines to Energy Park will augment the government’s vision to see the mining sector becoming a US$12 billion industry by 2023.
“The Park will augment my government’s thrust on value addition and beneficiation of minerals as well as bolster the crucial role that mineral value chains play in the national industrialisation agenda. The proposed Mines to Energy Park will mark the inception of the lithium-ion battery value chain in Zimbabwe. It is set to place Zimbabwe amongst the world producers of lithium-ion batteries while contributing to the growth of a resilient clean global energy economy.
The Minister of Mines Hon Winston Chitando said the Mines to Energy Park will be constructed immediately with Engineers already on the ground to kick start the implementation of the project.
“Construction is going to start immediately. Already, the investor has put some engineers which are ready to go on-site and make sure that the project is a reality.
“But more importantly, is the fact that economic development in any country does not happen by chance or by accident, there had to be a vision,” Chitando said.
Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe at the event, Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) President Ms Henrietta Rushwaya said the project is a game changer for the mining sector in general and the country at large as it will come with many positives for the growth and development of the economy.
“It is regarded as one of the biggest game gamers in Zimbabwe since the formation of the second Republic. Eagle Canyon has come up with a setup which will among other things process graphite, chromium and process various other minerals. The beneficiation of such minerals will go a long way in ensuring that our country gets benefits from the real value of minerals. Eagle Canyon will also generate a lot of electricity. It creates a lot of employment, the creation of employment by the company is indeed welcome by the Zimbabwean mining sector,” Rushwaya said.

Fidelity Gold Refinery gold buying prices 16 September 2022

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Fidelity Gold Refinery gold buying prices 16 September 2022

Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) official gold buying prices Friday 16 September 2022.

SG 90% AND ABOVE US$51.59/g
SG ABOVE 85% BUT BELOW 90% US$50.77/g
SG ABOVE 80% BUT BELOW 85% US$50.23/g
SG ABOVE 75% BUT BELOW 80% US$49.68/g
SAMPLE BELOW 10g BUT ABOVE 5g US$48.87/g
FIRE ASSAY CASH US$51.59/g

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

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

Gazette chrome prices, establish chrome hubs, MMCZ told

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Gazette chrome prices, establish chrome hubs, MMCZ told

As the government is working on supporting the domestic ferrochrome industry, there is a need to gazette a pricing structure and establish chrome hubs with weighbridge and equipment, popular miner Sophia Takuva said at this year’s Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI).

Rudairo Mapuranga

According to Takuva, it was of importance for the government through the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) to support primary producers of chrome ore as this will help in the achievement of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development’s vision to see mining realize an annual revenue of US$12 billion by the end of 2023.

“As the government is working on supporting the domestic ferrochrome industry, there is also a need to support the primary producers of chrome ore to benefit from their resources. There is a need to gazette a pricing structure and establish chrome hubs with weighbridges and extraction machinery like excavators. This will increase the production of chrome and make a success of vision 2023 of a US$12 billion mining industry.

“The chrome miners plea to the MMCZ to gazette the pricing structure that guides the chrome buyers. Most buyers are Chinese companies, they work with agents that negotiate prices for the companies and it’s very difficult to negotiate a fair price that can also benefit the miner. There is also a challenge in scaling on the weighbridge, these companies temper with the weigh ridge when miners bring the chrome they always weigh less than the actual weight so instead of being paid 100 tonnes, a miner ends up being paid 80 tonnes,” Takuva said.

It should however be noted that MMCZ has started gazetting a chrome pricing structure thanks to the call by miners, however, the structures are not yet popular as buyers are still buying predatorily from small-scale producers.

According to Takuva, chrome mining has the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the growth of the economy through revenue generation and employment creation.

“In the rural mining communities, small-scale mining has brought development and in Mapanzure and Neta areas, chrome mining is changing the lives of many. Artisanal and small-scale chrome miners use their income to build their homes, drill boreholes that benefit the community, build shops at business centres, and also contribute to building schools and clinics in their areas,” she said.

She said, Chrome mining is capital intensive and it needs expensive machinery to produce, ASM chrome miners depend on Chinese investors for machinery and a market for their chrome.

“Chinese investors partner with small-scale chrome producers in the Mapanzure and Neta areas of Zvishavane. Most of the rich claims are deep and they need excavators to extract the chrome and the deeper the excavation, the higher the cost for the miner miners, usually do not own their mining machinery, they depend on the Chinese for equipment. In exchange, the miners must sell ore back to their Chinese partners or risk losing the relationship.  claim owner who has access to the ore, who must renew his title to the mine annually and pay several taxes and fees – takes 15% to 25%, and the rest goes to Chinese partners at artificially low prices. The Chinese partners who own equipment, end up with all the chrome and get profit,” Takuva added.

“There are several women and youth chrome miners who are working in tributes, they face challenges of lack of equipment and when they get the equipment and extract the chrome, they are forced to sell at the very low prices of $25 per tonne because they produce fewer tonnes that is only suitable for local buyers that smelt in the Mapanzure area. Bigger Chinese smelting companies like Afrochine sometimes offer better prices but they need more tonnes of at least 500tonnes per month buying from $60 per tonne.”

The Chinese companies that are buying raw chrome said that they are buying at lower prices because they are also selling ferrochrome at low prices to local players in steel manufacturing.

“There was a ban on the export of raw chrome since July 2022 in a bid to support the domestic ferrochrome industry, ferrochrome is a key ingredient in the production of steel, and this was a great move to support the country’s steel manufacturing sector, it helps capacitate current smelters and maximize the value chain to be realized from the country’s abundant resources. Also, the value chain cannot be closed in at the foundry alone, it goes far to various suppliers in services, chemical, gas, fuel, power, construction, banking, and the tax house ( Zimra) find opportunities to do business in the foundry and chrome beneficiation sectors,” Sophie concluded.

Gold prices plummet to a 2 year low

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Gold prices plummet to a 2 year low

Gold prices hovered near a two-year low on Friday and were set for a weekly fall as an elevated dollar and prospects of aggressive U.S. rate hikes dented bullion’s appeal.

HIGHLIGHTS

* Spot gold was unchanged at $1,664.48 per ounce, as of 0030 GMT, and was down 3% for the week so far. Prices hit their lowest since April 2020 at $1,659.47 on Thursday.

* U.S. gold futures were down 0.3% at $1,673.10.

* The dollar index was headed for a weekly gain. A stronger greenback makes gold expensive for overseas buyers.

* Gold is considered an inflation hedge but rising interest rates increase the opportunity cost of holding the non-yielding asset.

* U.S. retail sales unexpectedly rebounded in August, but demand is cooling as the Federal Reserve aggressively raises interest rates to fight inflation. Separate data showed U.S. weekly jobless claims fell last week.

* India has slashed the base import prices of gold, palm oil, and crude soya oil, the government said in a statement late on Thursday.

* Meanwhile, holdings of SPDR Gold Trust, the world’s largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, rose 0.15% to 962.01 tonnes on Thursday from 960.56 tonnes on Wednesday.

* Spot silver dipped 0.7% to $19.01 per ounce. Platinum fell 0.5% to $900.36 and palladium was down 0.2% at $2,132.49.

Reuters

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