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Zimplats hailed for beyond-the-skin initiatives

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Zimplats hailed for beyond-the-skin initiatives

The country’s biggest platinum group metals (PGM) producer Zimplats has been hailed for its initiative to donate creams, lip balms and sprayers to people with albinism.

Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe at the Zimplats exhibition stand at the Harare Agricultural Show on Tuesday, Bridget Chirenje a person with albinism said Zimplats should continue with its endeavour to ensure discrimination of people with albinism is at a minimum.

“We are thankful because of Zimplats and other organisations working with Zimplats. We are very grateful for some of us, buying these creams is a testimony because they are expensive to us. So encourage Zimplats to continue with this initiative as it will help many people,” Chirenje.

Portia Chiadzimu speaking to this publication said she was honoured to receive the cream donations from Zimplats and urged the mining giant to continue with its endeavour to help the albinism community.

“We are happy because Zimplats has donated skin creams, we urge them to continue doing this to ensure that our skin is protected so that we will not be discriminated in the communities that we come from,” Chiadzimu said.

Zimplats has an annual distribution of 20,000 sunscreens and lip balms to communities in Harare, Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Mashonaland West, Masvingo and Mutare as part of the community albinism project.

Zimplats has been calling for the country to stand together and stop stigmatisation and discrimination against people with albinism.

“It’s time for us to stand together as a community and say no to stigmatisation and discrimination of people with albinism,” reads Zimplats motto.

WHAT IS ALBINISM?

Albinism is a rare group of genetic disorders that causes the skin, hair, or eyes to have little or no colour. Albinism is also associated with vision problems. In so many African countries, people with albinism are misunderstood and mistreated because of their skin colour.

CAUSES

  • A defect in one of several genes that produce or distribute melanin.
  • The defect may result in the absence of melanin production or a reduced amount of melanin production.
  • The defective gene passes down from both parents to the child.

SYMPTOMS OF ALBINISM

  • An absence of colour in the hair, skin or eyes
  • Lighter than normal colouring of the hair, skin or eyes
  • Patches of skin that have an absence of colour.

MYTH AND FACT ON ALBINISM

Myth

They are the results of inbreeding or incest, that is, breed from closely related people, especially over many generations.

Fact

Albinism is an inherited disorder. It is inherited as a recessive gene from both parents. As with all recessive conditions, the chances of two people carrying the same recessive gene increase if the two have recent common ancestors. Therefore, while albinism is not necessarily a result of incest, marriage between close relatives can increase the chances of a child being born with albinism. Therefore, having children with a relative is highly discouraged. The body of people living with Albinism has little or no ability to produce the colour of the skin, hair and eyes. This colour is called “melanin”.

Myth

People with albinism are sterile.

Fact

This is not true. Persons with albinism are fertile and can have children.

Myth

People with albinism cannot see during the day but see well at night.

Fact

People with albinism have eyesight problems due to a lack of ‘melanin’ pigmentation in the retina. They can see during the day and also at night, but they may either be short or long-sighted and may need sight aids.

Myth

Albinism is contagious.

Fact

Albinism is a genetic condition passed on by both parents. Each parent must be a carrier, and both must pass on an albinism gene for someone to be born with the condition. It cannot be caught and is not contagious.

People with albinism tend to have more developmental difficulties. True, but only because of vision problems and social pressures. When you can’t read the blackboard or you’re ostracized from society and can’t go to a normal school, you often fall behind academically. This will affect their grades thereby reducing their chances of being employed and opportunities for societal integration.

Myth

Albinism is a punishment or a curse from the gods or ancestral spirits due to wrongs done in the family.

Fact:

Albinism is a genetic condition that is passed on from parents to children. Many people are carriers of this recessive gene. Albinism is not a curse.

Myth

A person with albinism cannot have regularly pigmented children.

Fact

A person with albinism can give birth to regularly pigmented children if his/her partner is not a carrier of a similar recessive gene for albinism. The children may be carriers of the recessive gene but it will not be expressed in them.

Myth

People with albinism are not intelligent.

Fact

This is not true. Persons with albinism are intelligent and also perform well academically like other normally pigmented people. There are teachers, lawyers, politicians and musicians who are living with albinism.

Myth

The mother slept with a white man.

Fact

Children born with albinism may look ‘white’ due to absent or reduced pigmentation but are not products of cross-race sexual relationships.

Myth 

People with albinism cannot go outside during the day.

Fact

People with albinism can go outside at any time but need to take extra precautions when out in the sun. Protective clothing, sunscreen and a hat are required all year round to minimize the risk of skin damage from the sun.

Zimbabwe gold buying prices 29 August 2023

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Zimbabwe gold buying prices 29 August 2023

Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) official gold buying prices Tuesday 29 August 2023. See the Zimbabwe gold buying prices today.

SG 90% AND ABOVE US$58.63/g
SG ABOVE 85% BUT BELOW 90% US$58.01/g
SG ABOVE 80% BUT BELOW 85% US$57.39/g
SG ABOVE 75% BUT BELOW 80% US$56.77/g
SAMPLE BELOW 10g BUT ABOVE 5g US$55.84/g
FIRE ASSAY CASH US$58.94/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.

SA Police on a mission to permanently thwart illegal mining

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SA Police on a mission to permanently thwart illegal mining

Following an August 18 update that revealed the dangers of illicit mining activities in the Florida community in South Africa, extra police operations were performed to address illegal mining.

Up until August 21, several units were deployed to multiple locations where suspected illegal mining took place. The focus points of these operations were illegal mining, illegal immigrants, robbery aggravated, second-hand goods, contact crimes, and drugs, and were executed in high-risk areas such as CRG Mines, Randleases Hostel, Fleurhof, New Canada, Jerusalema and Eitemal.

Several arrests were made.

About six illegal immigrants were arrested and illegal mining equipment was seized at Jerusalema, including one water pump, one electric motor, four pendukas, two stamper buckets and three stampers.

On August 17 two drug-related arrests were made. Forty brown-folded plastics with suspected heroin and nyaope were also confiscated.

On August 18 one drug-related arrest was made, and five Zimbabwean and Lesotho nationals saw their trip to South Africa cut short as they were arrested in connection with illegal immigration. The bomb disposal specialist unit uncovered 23 shock explosive tubes and five detonator cords. Illegal mining equipment was also seized during this operation in Jerusalema.

Several other arrests were made in connection with theft, firearm pointing, and armed robbery during stop and searches.

Mine Manager wanted, apply now!

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Mine Manager wanted, apply now!

Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) is looking for a suitably qualified individual to fill the position of Mining Manager.

Job Description

Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced candidates to fill the above-mentioned post.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Manage mining operations
  • Manage mining plant equipment.
  • Ensure compliance with Safety, Health and Environment legislation.
  • Plan, direct, coordinate and control mining and production strategies.
  • Ensure efficiency in mineral extraction.
  • Evaluation of mining targets.
  • Develop health and safety strategies in mining
  • Ensure that mining records are maintained.
  • Identify process improvements.
  • Develop cost containment strategies
  • Any other duties that are relevant to the position.

Qualifications and Experience

  • A minimum of Mining engineering, metallurgy, a relevant Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.
  • Minimum experience is 5 years in a similar position.

How to Apply

Applications to be submitted to: [email protected].

Deadline: 31 August 2023

ZDAMWU brings affordable insurance cover to mine workers

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ZDAMWU brings affordable insurance cover to mine workers

In an endeavour to ensure mine workers have tailor-made affordable insurance services ranging from their and their family’s health, retirement, and bereavement needs, the Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Mineral Workers Union (ZDAMWU) has partnered with Old Mutual and First Mutual to create affordable insurance covers.

Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe, ZDAMWU General Secretary Mr Justice Chinhema said after realising that most mine workers have no medical cover, or funeral cover and the majority failing to contribute towards pensions, his organization decided to Old Mutual and First Mutual because there are the biggest insurance companies in Zimbabwe having capacity to meet the demand of mine workers under ZDAMWU.

“We are the champions – having realized that most mine workers have no funeral cover, medical cover and the majority have not been contributing towards pension, we as the union formed to advance the interests of mine workers felt we need to go an extra mile towards bringing the necessary services to our members at very very compressed rates.

“We are responding to what our members have been asking for a very long time.

“Old Mutual and FML are the Biggest insurance companies in Zimbabwe and have capacity to meet the demand from our members,” Chinhema said.

Chinhema said the partnerships between ZDAMWU, Old Mutual and First Mutual came after a long engagement proving that ZDAMWU has mine workers at heart.

“We are just demonstrating that we are way far from those we compete with in worker representation.

“Mine workers need to be taken care of while working and be able the save for the future.

“This has come after long long engagements and we believe the services are the best for our members and we shall improve them as we go,” the ZDAMWU General Secretary said.

About Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Mineral Workers Union (ZDAMWU)

Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Mineral Workers Union (ZDAMWU) is a registered trade union in terms of Section 33 of the Labour Act Chapter 28.01 with the mandate to represent the interests and rights of mine workers. The trade union was initially registered in 2015 to represent the interests of Diamond Industry workers. After the consolidation of mines mining Diamonds, the union variated its scope to cover the whole mining Industry in 2017.

Zimbabwe gold buying prices 28 August 2023

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Zimbabwe gold buying prices 28 August 2023

Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) official gold buying prices Monday 28 August 2023. See the Zimbabwe gold buying prices today.

SG 90% AND ABOVE US$58.19/g
SG ABOVE 85% BUT BELOW 90% US$57.58/g
SG ABOVE 80% BUT BELOW 85% US$56.96/g
SG ABOVE 75% BUT BELOW 80% US$56.34/g
SAMPLE BELOW 10g BUT ABOVE 5g US$55.42/g
FIRE ASSAY CASH US$58.50/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.

Uranium might be another “Lithium” for Zimbabwe

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Uranium might be another “Lithium” for Zimbabwe

As the world is eagerly pushing for Net-Zero Emissions Operations by 2050, an opportunity is rising in nuclear energy. In making a nuclear future, reality will require a lot of uranium thus giving Zimbabwe the chance to participate strongly in a cleaner future due to the mineable Uranium deposits in the country.

Rudairo Mapuranga

It is a fact that the push towards clean energy is overdue or overdone. According to the World Nuclear Association, in 2019, there were 479 plants either being proposed, planned, or under construction. Just as the growing electric vehicle (EV) market will require lithium, making a nuclear future a reality will require Uranium and lots of it. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 set off a spike in uranium prices, and the forecast is for those prices to only move higher in the next several years. According to Statista, global demand for uranium is expected to reach 209 million pounds by 2035. To achieve that goal, new uranium assets will have to be discovered. Zimbabwe with its uranium deposits will therefore have a chance to tap into the nuclear future.

According to renowned geologist and gemstone expert Mr Jean Rheiner, there is a potential for Zimbabwe to start extracting uranium resources provided government policies are favourable. He said his company discovered a good deposit of uranium which needs an investment of US$100 million to be operational.

“I had been working on Uranium in the early 1980s and discovered a good small deposit in the North of the country. By then prices collapsed and my Company pulled out. In the last few years some companies (Canadian and Chinese did some work on those projects but pulled out too. The price of Uranium is still low and the economic/ political situation is not favourable.

Those deposits are still around and will probably need a US$ 100 million investment to be operational,” Rheiner said.

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe mining metallurgical Consultant Sharon Tsuro said although there is a need to relax policy on the extraction of the resource it should however be more inclined to limit the exportation of raw forms of the commodity.

She said the country should find a way to take advantage of the clean energy prospects by utilizing the current resources because as the world progresses cleaner resources might be discovered in future.

“Policy should be more inclined to limit the exportation of raw forms of the commodity from exploration to fully functional operations. Parties interested should set up laboratories in Zimbabwe and carry out all activities here to improve infrastructure as well as promote employment,” Tsuro said.

Mineral resource governance expert Mr Tapuwa O’bren Nhachi said Zimbabwe should learn from great lessons in mineral resource governance. He stated that the country could benefit from its uranium exports by developing a uranium mining industry, partnering with other countries, ensuring equitable benefits, and avoiding corruption.

“By developing a uranium mining industry the country will have a cooperative advantage that most uranium-gifted countries have. The uranium mining industry will or should sustainably extract and process the uranium reserves. If done properly this could create jobs and generate revenue for the country.

“To gain experience and to produce the intended results Zimbabwe could partner with other countries to develop its uranium industry. For example, the country could work with countries that have expertise in nuclear technology to develop its uranium reserves.

“Equitable distribution of resources and revenue will be key. Zimbabwe should ensure that the benefits of uranium mining are distributed equitably. This could involve working with local communities to ensure that they benefit from the industry and that their social economic rights are achieved and respected.

“However the Elephant in the room is Corruption. The responsible authorities should take necessary and sustainable steps to avoid corruption in the uranium industry. The major reason why Zim never realised much or anything tangible from the diamond discovery is corrupt activities.

“The lessons from the diamond and gold mining value chain can be used as a not to do. To assist with an effective anti-corruption crusade Zim could involve implementing transparency measures and working with international organizations to ensure that the industry is well-regulated.

“It’s unfortunate that any mineral extraction project is highly capital intensive and this can be a burden to both investors and host countries if a win-win situation can not be reached. This is not new and Zimbabwe could invest in exploration to identify new uranium deposits. This could involve working with international partners to bring in expertise and technology and the finances required for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe.

Develop infrastructure: Zimbabwe could develop infrastructure to support the uranium industry.

Since this is for the international market Zimbabwe should strategically market its uranium internationally to attract buyers. This can be done through internationally tested honest consultancies. A lot should be involved including but not limited to attending trade shows and conferences to showcase the country’s uranium reserves,” he added.

“The most important but most neglected aspect is the environmental and social responsibility that miners and government should the mining must be conducted in a sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible manner. This should involve implementing regulations to protect the environment and working with local communities to ensure that their rights are respected,” he concluded.

Bullion insurance in Zimbabwe

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Bullion insurance in Zimbabwe

Bullion insurance covers against the loss of gold, diamonds and other precious minerals at an insured site or in transit. The ‘all risk’ cover provides physical loss or damage protection, inclusive of theft and transit risks.

Factors affecting premium

There are several factors that affect the premium to be paid including:

  1. The type of mineral to be insured. For example, the easier the likelihood of selling the mineral without a lot of paperwork, the higher the susceptibility of it to theft.
  2. The security and risk management factors on site. Good and well-maintained systems reduce the incidence of loss on-site by external theft, employee theft or fire damage.
  3. The security and risk management around the transportation of the bullion. E.g. Will it be under armed guard or ordinary transportation? Is it done by an internal security team or a contracted external team?
  4. The type of transport used. Will it be going by road or airlifted? If by road will it be an armoured vehicle with satellite tracking and other security features?
  5. Past losses experienced. Have you had any past bullion losses and what risk management changes have been made to minimise similar losses occurring now?

Warranties

The specialised nature of bullion insurance and the high-value nature of the insured product requires that they be handled in a specific manner. This often results in the insurance policy having warranties applied especially after a risk management survey has been carried out.  A warranty is a term which must be exactly and literally complied with by the insured. Departure from the exact requirements even for reasons of necessity constitutes a breach and renders the policy void. These warranties can be about how the bullion should be handled, stored or transported.

Personal bullion

With the introduction of the gold coins, more individuals who have purchased them now face a new risk that may not be fully covered under traditional Home insurance coverage. If it’s stored at a specialised vault, check with the facility provider whether their insurance will cover you as well.

At Firstlink we assist you to structure adequate cover for your bullion. Our clients also benefit from our dedicated claim’s service in the event of a loss. Our approach removes the ambiguity and complexity often associated with mining insurance claims.

Talk to Firstlink today on (0242)744048/79, 0772392075, 0773589694 or 0772434103 or email [email protected]

BMC seeks to explore, mine in 22 claims

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BMC seeks to explore, mine in 22 claims

Bulawayo Mining Company (BMC) which operates How Mine has engaged Bumira Investments Limited to carry out an environmental and social impact assessment public consultation as it seeks to explore and mine in its 22 claims.

The purpose of the stakeholder consultation is to ascertain the immediate, short to long-term direct and indirect impacts of the project on the surrounding communities and other stakeholders.

The mining entity intends to conduct exploration and mining in their 22 claims situated about 20 kilometres east of Bulawayo in the Bulawayo mining district.

The exploration for gold will include transverse cutting, soil sampling, trenching, core drilling and continued reconnaissance of all the claims.

Mining methods will include both opencast and under-drilling mining.

Exploration activities are critical for mining operations as they help identify the available mineral deposits that can be commercially extracted thereby helping to determine the company’s future and possibility for expansion.

In a notice, Bulawayo Mining Company said it is committed to the protection of the environment, human health and mitigation of climate change as well as the conservation of nature.

“Consequently, the organisation has engaged Bumira Environmental Consultants to gather views from various stakeholders affected by the project as well as from those interested in the project activities,” reads part of the notice.

The mining industry is one of the sectors anchoring the economy and is set to drive the country towards the attainment of an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

In 2019, the Government launched the US$12 billion mining industry to be achieved by the end of this year. The multi-billion-dollar industry will be driven by gold, platinum, diamond, chrome, iron ore, coal, lithium, and other minerals.

Chronicle

Zimplats records 2 lost time injuries

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Zimplats records 2 lost time injuries

Australia Stock Exchange-listed platinum group metals (PGM) producer Zimplats recorded 2 lost time injuries (LTI) during the quarter ended 30 June 2023 both of which were related to the fall of ground incident at Bimha Mine, the company revealed.

Rudairo Mapuranga

Through Zimplats Quarterly report for the period ending 30 June 2023, the PGM producer said implementation of plans to avoid the fall of ground at Bimha Mine is underway.

“Two lost-time injuries were recorded at the mining division during the quarter under review, both of which related to fall-of-ground incidents at Bimha Mine. The implementation of remedial action plans from the accident investigations is ongoing,” Zimplats said.

Zimplats is subscribed to zero harm and has been working to ensure that its worker’s safety is the number one priority. The Company recorded over 5 million fatality-free shifts before and was considered a sterling example in Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) issues.

Zimplats board and management remain committed to ensuring a safe working environment for all employees and contractors.

In 2021, Zimplats was certified to the comprehensive IS045001 international standard for occupational (ISO) health and safety management as the platinum producer is geared towards the achievement of the zero-harm target.

According to the platinum group parent company, Impala Platinum Holdings (Implats) Zimplats and two other Implats-owned platinum-producing firms were certified as it seeks to make sure that all its platinum operations are certified by 2024.

“In 2021, Zimplats, Marula and Impala Springs were certified to the comprehensive IS045001 international standard for occupational health and safety management. Our objective is to have all our managed operations certified by 2024.”

ISO 45001:2018 specifies requirements for an occupational health and safety (OH&S) management system, and gives guidance for its use, to enable organizations to provide safe and healthy workplaces by preventing work-related injury and ill health, as well as by proactively improving its OH&S performance.

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