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Invictus in potential hydrocarbon findings

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Invictus in potential hydrocarbon findings

Invictus Energy Limited (IEL) says it has found some potential hydrocarbons — the principal constituents of petroleum and natural gas — several hundred metres into drilling its Mukuyu-1 well.

Invictus has made significant progress at the Cabora Bassa project, located in northern Zimbabwe near the Mozambican border since it started drilling several weeks back.

It has two drilling sites, the Mukuyu-1 and Baobob-1 well but drilling is ongoing at the former.

In an update released yesterday, Invictus reported that it had reached the second phase of drilling several hundred metres and identified hydrocarbons at a width of 12 ¼”.

“Since the last update, the 12 ¼” hole section has been completed and section Total Depth (“TD”) was called at 2021 metres measured depth (“MD”) in order to set the 9 ” casing near the base of a substantial regional seal above the primary targets,” it said.

“Following the completion of the first suite of wireline logging, a zone of interest in the secondary objective in the 200 Horizon target coincident with observed seismic amplitude anomalies was interpreted to contain potential hydrocarbons based on significantly elevated resistivity (two orders of magnitude above baseline) across a 10-15m interval from approximately 785m MD and separation between shallow, medium and deep resistivity readings.”

Invictus said further study of this zone revealed tight reservoir characteristics and complex mineralogy; and that it was, therefore, decided not to run the formation pressure/sampling wireline tool in the absence of the suitable sampling probe and packers.

“The decision was made with careful consideration of several factors, including the ability to obtain valid pressure measurements and fluid samples in tight reservoir and significantly overbalanced hole conditions with the increased risk of tool sticking and potential loss due to the heavy mud weight used in this hole section,” Invictus said.

Newsday

Mining contracts should be signed after consultation

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Mining contracts should be signed after consultation

To create a sustainable Environment Social and Governance (ESG) WorkPlan in Zimbabwe, it is vital for the government to sign mining contracts after a full report on consultation has been delivered, Mutoko Ward 5 Councilor Kwanisai Dende has said.

Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking at the WorkPlan 4 Workshop on Assessing the Environment Social and Governance (ESG) in the mining sector in Zimbabwe hosted by the Association of Women in Mining in Africa (AWIMA) at Monomotapa Hotel in Harare today, Councilor Dende said communities need good roads, health facilities among others, therefore it was of importance for companies to meet communities first for consultation before Government issues mining certificates.

“The current Mines and Minerals Act does not look into the future of the country. Without sustainable plans for the future, the communities will suffer from the consequences of mining. Mining contracts should be signed by the government after consultations have already been done. Our communities need good roads, dusty roads are not ideal because they would want to be maintained every day.

“Health care facilities should be built.

“Proper exploration should be done, mining companies are moving out tonnes of ore but claiming to be still exploring for minerals,” Councilor Dende said.

Speaking at the same event National Environment Awareness Trust (NEAT) Founder and CEO Mr Timothy Chizuzu said a lot should be done in ensuring that ESG principles are well kept by miners.

He said the country was lagging on ESG principles especially when it comes to Artisanal and Small Scale Mining (ASM) because the country was not doing enough to educate the miners.

“Little is done to educate miners on best environment plans and rehabilitation of the environment. The Act should be clear on what the miner should do,” Chizuzu said.

Women vital in spearheading responsible sourcing

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Women vital in spearheading responsible sourcing

As the world is moving rapidly to consider responsible sourcing as it seeks transparency and accountability in the extraction industry, it is more meaningful when women are involved as they have for generations been left at the margins of decision-making and development, Chairperson for the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development Hon Edmond Mkaratigwa said.

Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking at the Workshop on Assessing the Environment Social and Governance (ESG) in the mining sector in Zimbabwe hosted by the Zimbabwe Association of Women in Mining Associations (ZAWIMA) held at Monomotapa Hotel in Harare today, Hon Mkaratigwa said as gender vulnerability is rising, challenges for women are also increasing, therefore, it was of importance to include women in responsible sourcing guidelines and participation.

“Responsible sourcing is becoming a big issue for consideration in modern-day business. The world is becoming more responsible, transparent and accountable. It is even more meaningful when women are involved as they have traditionally been left at the margins of decision-making and development. The reason responsible sourcing is vital and particularly taking cognisant of the Environment, Social and Governance, this has also been a source of grievance in many developing countries. Such grievances cause natural resource conflicts, arouse latent tribal hatred, and cause the formation of terrorist groups.

“Advocacy that is going on globally is that sustainable development should be achieved. Gender vulnerabilities are rising instead of declining and energy poverty is a challenge impacting women and the girl child largely. Africa is further endowed with resources being required globally, but it has remained poor. Natural resource governance, therefore, remains fundamental as that is the main determinant of whether communities will benefit from resources extracted and sold globally. Diversification reduces the risk associated with most staples since there will be a fallback for nations. Those are some of the key issues that make your project more relevant in the country and the continent,” Hon Mkaratigwa said.

Speaking at the same event, Association of Women in Mining in Africa (AWIMA) Technical Lead Monica Gichuhi said women should take lead in making sure that regulations for ESG are speeded to allow responsible sourcing.

“Regulations to protect African minerals should be done now to protect communities,” she said.

ZAWIMA Chairperson Ms Kundai Chikonzo said women in mining in Zimbabwe were going to work flat out to ensure minerals in Zimbabwe are clean to be consumed by any market.

“We created ZAWIMA to ensure that women in mining in Zimbabwe are well represented and that responsible sourcing can be achieved through women’s participation,” she said.

Kundai Chikonzo elected ZAWIMA’s first chairperson

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Kundai Chikonzo elected ZAWIMA’s first chairperson

Matebeleland South miner Ms Kundai Chikonzo has been elected the first chairperson of the Zimbabwe Association of Women in Mining Associations (ZAWIMA) at the launch of the organization yesterday in Harare.

Anerudo Mapuranga

The launch of the Zimbabwe chapter of Women in Mining Associations also saw Gertrude Chimanikire from Mashonaland East being elected vice chairperson with Midlands-based vibrant miner Sophia Takuva elected as the Secretary of the Association. The purse of the Association will be under the leadership of Pamela Mutembwe from Mashonaland Central who was elected as the treasurer.

Three miners were elected committee members these are, Chiedza Chipangura from Mashonaland West, Melody Juma from Masvingo and Chipo Mazula from Mashonaland Central.

The launch of the Association was graced by many in the mining industry including the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) represented by its CEO Mr. Wellington Takavarasha, Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) represented by Lynn Nyereyemhuka, the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR), Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) among other organizations.

Pomona Quarries acquires Zim’s largest hydraulic hammers from Pelgin

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Pomona Quarries acquires Zim’s largest hydraulic hammers from Pelgin

In an endeavor to increase production and reduce noise pollution at its quarry mining operation in Pomona Harare, one of the country’s biggest quarry extractors Pomona Stone Quarries acquired an EPIROC HB 3600 hammer from Zimbabwe’s official Volvo dealer, Pelgin Consulting Services.

Rudairo Mapuranga

Pelgin Managing Director Mr Gary Moorcroft handed over the EPIROC HB 3600 hammer to Collin Campbell of Pomona Stone Quarries at a ceremony held at the quarry extraction site in Pomona. An EPIROC HB 3600 hammer is one of the biggest hydraulic hammers in the country.

Although high efficiency has always been the focus in designing Epiroc hydraulic breakers, the HB 3600 units enjoy even greater efficiency than their predecessors in the heavy breaker range. Better utilization of the hydraulic input from the carrier has been achieved through innovative technology and the highest manufacturing standards.

According to Campbell, Pomona bought the hydraulic hammer from Pelgin to reduce noise pollution usually caused by blasting as well as to improve hammering speed.

“We were getting a lot of complaints from our neighbors, so this hammer will help reduce noise pollution and increase hammering time,” Campbell said.

The simultaneous purchase of the Volvo EC480DL Excavator is a perfect carrier for this large hammer. This Volvo Excavator is a 50-ton machine and compliments the other Volvo 70-ton excavator that is at Pomona Quarries. This also gives Pomona Quarries flexibility as the Volvo EC480DL can also be used as an excavator by removing the hammer and fitting the supplied bucket which is 2.66m3 in capacity.

Pomona Quarries acquires Zim’s largest hydraulic hammers from Pelgin 2

EPIROC HB 3600 Featuring Auto Control

AutoControl is a solution which boosts the productive performance of Epiroc hydraulic breakers. The system automatically controls the breaker’s output to suit the working conditions and rock hardness, thereby creating the perfect benefit for users: maximum blow frequency for soft materials, and maximum single-blow energy when things get tougher.

Advantages of Auto Control

  • helps to achieve consistently high productivity through the adjustment of single-blow energy and blow rate as from the first impact
    protects both the breaker and carrier unit during idle strokes
  • raises efficiency through energy recovery and precise control of piston movement under the most diverse working conditions
  • minimises the tendency of idle strokes in soft material
  • always starts with reduced single-blow energy
  • easy handling with “centring” of the tool

DustProtector II and VibroSilenced

This helps in protecting both the hammer unit and the bushings against damage as well as premature wear. This protective feature, unique with its two stages and only available with Epiroc hydraulic breakers, can optionally be installed on all HB breakers. With VibroSilence With this, it is no coincidence that Epiroc breakers are among the quietest on the market. This has been proven by measurements based on Directive 2000/14/EC, which gives a guaranteed sound power level of 121 dB (A).

WHY VOLVO ARTICULATED HAULERS ARE A CUT ABOVE THE REST

From developing the first series manufactured articulated haulier more than 55 years ago, Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) is continuing to dominate the field, with articulated hauliers that really pack a punch – delivering optimum performance at the lowest cost per ton.

Committed to innovation and development, Volvo CE continues to evolve its range of articulated hauliers, making them even smarter, more efficient and easier to operate.

Uptime is maximized too, whilst maintenance costs are kept to a minimum, reducing the total cost of ownership.

EFFICIENT OPERATION WITH HAUL ASSIST

The Haul Assist suite of tools is a game-changing solution designed to get the most out of the Volvo Articulated Hauler. Powered by a 10” Volvo Co-Pilot monitor – which is available on a variety of machines from hauliers and excavators to pavers – it provides valuable insight to help customers optimize the efficiency of their haul cycles and boost profitability.

A new addition to Haul Assist, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System enables the monitoring of tire pressure and temperature from the comfort of the cab. Inflation pressure having a marked impact on tire wear, and proactive monitoring is invaluable to optimize tire life as well as fuel efficiency, machine performance and operator comfort.

Map provides a real-time overview of the on-site traffic to help navigate around more effectively. The whereabouts of every machine and vehicle – irrespective of the type or brand – as well as visitors on site, are now visible, so long as they are connected to the map application. Alongside haul roads, Map also shows load and dump zones, and flags single-lane sections, restricted zones and speed-restricted areas helping to anticipate operating decisions and reduce unnecessary stops.

Also part of Haul Assist is On-Board Weighing, a proven tool that allows payload information to be viewed in real-time, helping to eliminate carry-back and overloading.

As well as boosting productivity, this also reduces excessive fuel consumption and machine wear and tear.

SMARTER PERFORMANCE

Pomona Quarries acquires Zim’s largest hydraulic hammers from Pelgin 3

Operator comfort has always been at the heart of design – from the centrally- positioned operator seat offering excellent visibility, through to user-friendly controls.

And a range of automated functions is now offering even more support to enhance ease of operation and performance.

Terrain Memory is a handy feature of the intelligent Volvo drivetrain that identifies and remembers slippery road segments to ensure optimized traction control and off-road mobility. OptiShift enables fast and smooth directional changes, whilst Downhill Speed Control automatically maintains a constant speed when operating on downward gradients; both these, and the Cruise control function, are fitted as standard since 2019 and are available for retrofit on older hauliers.

MAXIMIZING UPTIME, MINIMIZING MAINTENANCE COSTS

Not only easy to operate and highly efficient but Volvo Articulated Haulers are also designed to be easy to service. Daily or even weekly greasing is a thing of the past, required instead every 250 hours on a Volvo Articulated Hauler, the longest time interval in the industry. Add to this long engine service intervals – up to 1,000 hours on Stage V and Tier 4 Final models – and less than half the fluid volume of most of its counterparts when measured over the lifetime of the machine. The result is reduced maintenance requirements and consumables, helping to keep the machine at work while lowering maintenance costs and environmental impact.

The improvements introduced to Volvo Articulated Haulers are delivering both performance and cost advantages for customers. New work-enhancing tools and straightforward servicing are just some examples contributing towards more profitable – and sustainable – operations. All part of Volvo CE’s commitment to drive transformation in the industry and achieve its goal to have net zero value chain emissions by 2040.

This article first appeared in the Mine Entra 2022 issue of the Mining Zimbabwe Magazine

60/40 the elephant in the room is growing by the day

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60/40 the elephant in the room is growing by the day

While the Mining industry races to reach annual revenue of US$12 billion by the end of 2023, the 60% foreign currency retention for large-scale producers might be a major cause to upset the achievement of the vision.

The export retention scheme allows miners to retain 60 percent of exported minerals in foreign currency while the remaining 40 percent is surrendered to the country’s central bank (the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe ‘RBZ’) at the prevailing interbank rate. If the 60% is not utilised within four months, the central bank will confiscate another 25 percent to take the total surrender requirement to 65 percent.

Currently, the interbank exchange is slightly above ZWL 500 per US$1 while on the parallel market,  US$1 ranges between ZWL 1000 for soft currency and ZWL 800 for hard currency. With the above discrepancy between the formal exchange rate and the market rate, exporters are losing over 20 percent of their real earnings due to the surrendered earnings.

Miners are also paying taxes and electricity in foreign currency, foreign exchange regulations are a punitive tax to business viability.

Government measures to reduce inflation

It should however be noted that despite miners losing a lot of their money due to the exchange rate alone, the government has been working flat out to make sure that inflation is managed well to avoid a situation where miners lose.

Between 2015 and 2021, the country promulgated hundreds of statutory instruments (temporary measures) aligned with monetary policy and produced a plethora of exchange control regulations or statements in an effort to combat inflation.

Recently, the central Bank introduced gold coins which are meant to be a store of value for businesses, miners included.

The RBZ announced that 90 percent of the 4475 gold coins sold as of 10 August 2022 were sold in local currency with the government realizing ZW$3.7 billion from the sale of the coins.

According to RBZ governor Dr. John Mangudya, the high demand for gold coins will help the local currency gain in value and reduce inflation.

“As of 10 August 2022, 4475 gold coins had been sold realising ZW$3.7 billion of which 90% was paid in local currency and the balance in foreign currency, and evenly distributed throughout the agents.

“The high demand for the gold coins will assist in mopping up liquidity from the market and thus strengthen the demand and enhance the value of the local currency. The Bank shall continue to release additional gold coins into the market on an ongoing basis in line with demand,” Mangudya said.

However, Although gold coins might be an alternative for miners to return the true value of their mining operations, the coins are not allowed to be sold before 180 days after their purchase making it difficult again for miners to have sufficient operational funds.

60/40 forex retention pressuring miners

The large-scale mining sector has been hard-hit stubbornly by the cost of production, labour, and materials due to the current foreign currency retention offered by the government experts say is not viable.

The large-scale producers are of the view that the current foreign currency retention which is at 60 percent is an elephant in the room that is impacting production significantly.

According to Freda Rebecca Managing Director Mr. Eliakem Hove, the primary producers were pushing towards the government giving the miners 100 percent so that operations may not be affected making them significant to achieve the government’s vision for the mining industry contributing US$12 billion annual revenue.

He said that the 40 percent Zimbabwean dollar component aids in the increasing cost of production.

“Our position as the Chamber as well as Freda Rebecca 60/40 is not adequate we would actually want 100 percent, worst case 80/20. The Zim dollar component increases your cost currently sitting around 60 percent when trading, 60/40 is putting pressure on our side,” he said.

In a trading update, Bindura Nickel Corporation secretary Conrad Mukanganga said the adverse impact of the cost of local inputs and the increasing disparity between the auction foreign exchange rate, at which the company surrenders 40 percent of its revenue for Zimbabwe dollars, and the prevailing parallel market rate battered the mining company.

According to the Chairperson of the Geological Society of Zimbabwe Mr Kennedy Mtetwa operational costs in local currency are increasing due to high inflation on the parallel market and the failure by the central bank to provide all suppliers with the required foreign currency.

“Production costs going up in ZWL yet the exchange rate for 40% staying the same,” said Mtetwa.

Last year, diversified mining group RioZim during the first quarter of 2021 said it did not benefit from a 12 percent increase in average gold prices due to the reduction of the gold foreign currency retention threshold from 70 to 60 percent by the central bank.

The miner said the retention threshold impacted negatively on gold production by 10 percent.

When asked what Parliament was doing to ensure the 60/40 issue was addressed, Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development Chairman Hon Edmond Mkaratigwa said Parly was open to getting details of modalities that work but the sector has also largely not been forthcoming of late.

“Parliament has always remained open to getting details of modalities that work. If you remember well, we stated during the time the 60/40% was achieved that, we must continue to engage until we get to where we desire. The best way is to get some new position papers so that we have the basis that justifies the new demands so that we represent while fully equipped. Parliament has raised these issues but the sector has also largely not been forthcoming of late. We are ready to hear what our constituents have in mind and as part of what they think works best for them and the national interest, for the broader good of all today and in the future,” Mkaratigwa said in an interview with Mining Zimbabwe.

Chamber of Mines President Collin Chibafa said the body will continue to fight on for improvement of the retention threshold.

“We cannot afford to give up. The Chamber of Mines continues to engage and lobby the RBZ and Government for an optimal foreign exchange framework for the mining industry. While the retention has remained at 60/40, we have seen some changes namely, allowing miners to pay a proportion of the royalties and taxes in local currency and the introduction of an incremental export incentive scheme that results in mining companies retaining 80% of export proceeds about a set threshold.  In addition, for mining companies that are listed on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange, the retention on incremental incentives is set at 100%. We will continue to engage and lobby for improved retention levels to ensure mining companies are able to sustain and expand their output,” Chibafa said in an interview with Mining Zimbabwe.

It would be witless for primary producers to blame the authorities or vice versa if the country fails to attain the US$12 billion industry by 2023 if the journey continues divergently.

Prospecting for lithium in Zimbabwe on the rise

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Prospecting for lithium in Zimbabwe on the rise

It is not a secret that Lithium has attracted world recognition as a significant mineral playing a substantial role in electric cars and other clean tech gadgets, Zimbabwe has not been spared on this development as prospecting for lithium in the country has increased significantly.

According to a government official, although most lithium projects in Zimbabwe are at the exploration stage, there has been a lot of prospecting and pegging of lithium mining claims in Zimbabwe.

“Most projects are still in the exploration stage, however, a few lithium projects are in the mine development stage. We also have noted a lot of pegging and prospecting for lithium though not to the extent of overwhelming our provincial mines offices,” Dr Kambamura said.

It has been reviewed that due to the increase in the world’s appetite for electric vehicles (EVs) demand is expected to rise in the coming years.

A February study from S&P Global Platts Analytics found that “global light duty electric vehicle sales reached a record high of 6.3 million units in 2021, up 102% year on year, with this number expected to rise to 26.8 million units in 2030. The updated 2030 forecast is 23% higher than the earlier forecast, published in June 2021.

As automakers (and the renewable energy sector) scramble for lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, rare earths, aluminum, manganese, and copper securing supply may ultimately be a bigger issue than costs.

To produce 20m vehicles Tesla alone needs more than the total volume of lithium and natural graphite produced last year, almost a third of the magnet rare earths, 36% of the cobalt, and so on, this shows that finding new lithium deposits is of importance to sustain the rise in demand of EVs.

Australia Stock Exchange-listed mining and exploration junior Prospect Resources is confident that the exploration of battery and electrification metals such as cobalt, lithium, manganese and nickel in Zimbabwe can bring extremely significant results.

According to a company report signed by Prospect Resources Corporate Development Manager Mr Nick Rathjen, the firm is highly motivated that Zimbabwe is the best mining destination for battery and electrification metals that are targeted towards the world agenda to go green.

“Zimbabwe is highly prospective for targeted battery and electrification metals,” Rathjen said.

Zimbabwe has the potential to supply over 20% of the world’s lithium appetite and the potential ability to supply over half of Europe’s demand for the next 30 years.

Renowned research groups have predicted that the European Union will need about 60 times more lithium than it is currently consuming and 15 times more cobalt for electric vehicles (EV) batteries and energy storage by 2050. It is estimated that the demand for rare earths minerals used in high-tech devices and military applications will increase 10-fold in Europe over the same period.

The European Union will not be able to ditch lithium and raw earth imports due to the world’s adoption of clean energy and the fact that recycling of elements could be deemed a danger to the climate.

Bikita Minerals is currently the only active lithium mine in Zimbabwe with several other lithium projects at various stages of development, establishing its position among the major producers in the world.

Lithium was classified by the government as strategic in helping the country achieve the US$12 BILLION mark by 2023 with the mineral fetching half a billion.

The country also boasts of MIRRORPLEX (Pvt) Limited’s lithium project in Shamva which is postured to become Zimbabwe’s biggest hard rock lithium producer. Mirrorplex has the potential to grow into a world-class lithium mine with Results from 240 Rock Chip samples taken from the exposed Bonnyvale pegmatite body at the Shamva Lithium Project providing high-grade lithium assay results up to 3.13% Li2O and surface sampling at the Loch Ness prospect revealed two more pegmatites containing high Li2O grades up to 4.82% Li2O.

Other lithium projects are Arcadia by Prospect Resources, Zulu, and Kamativi projects which would cement the country’s position in the global lithium market.

Zimbabwe should now focus on value addition by reopening closed factories thus becoming one of the largest suppliers of lithium batteries and clean energy.

This article first appeared in the September 2022 issue of the Mining Zimbabwe Magazine

Of Gemstones leakages and what should be done

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Of Gemstones leakages and what should be done

Zimbabwe has been losing a lot of its coloured gemstones through smuggling with the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) estimating that 90 per cent of the stones are not benefiting the country.

Rudairo Mapuranga

According to MMCZ General Manager Mr Tongai Muzenda, although there has been a growth in the coloured gemstones industry, the country was not benefiting because the industry is infiltrated by unlicensed dealers who smuggle most of the stones at the same time under paying miners.

He said it was of importance for the government to extend its helping hand to the Artisanal and Small Scale Miners (ASM) through formalization. He also said that various initiatives were being carried out by MMCZ to see that the growth of the gemstone industry is realized.

“The growth is not what we are expecting but there is a lot of mining of gemstones but most of them are being exported illegally, so the country is not benefiting and miners are getting paid very little, they can do much much better. I would want to think that people are getting only 10 per cent of what they can get. To grow this business the government needs to help the ASM grow. There are many initiatives to see the growth of the ASM in gemstones mining, MMCZ has actually visited some of the areas to buy gemstones at a fair value.” Muzenda said.

What’s causing Gemstone smuggling?

The Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) through a research study titled ‘The Political Economy of the illicit Coloured gemstone industry in Zimbabwe ‘ said much of Zimbabwe’s coloured gemstones are smuggled out of the country because most of the gemstone dealers are unlicensed.

The research also attributed corruption and poor governance as major causes of illicit gemstone trading.

Much of Zimbabwe’s coloured gemstones are smuggled out of the country while most of the gemstone dealers are unlicensed,” CNRG said.

_“The illicit mining and trade of gemstones is attributed to corruption and poor regulation of the sector which is governed under the Precious Stones Trade Act.

_“The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, which is mandated to regulate the marketing of gemstones, has been far less efficient compared to gemstone marketing systems in neighbouring countries such as Zambia.

_“The authorities have been reluctant to close the loopholes and review the regulatory framework as the current weaknesses benefit those with access to mining and export licences who are invariably politically connected.

_The dealers that are protected by politically connected miners with licences supply foreign buyers who come through Zambia and Mozambique._

_“These actors form part of the international syndicates that supply gemstones to destinations in Asian countries.”

_Foreign illegal dealers mostly from Zambia, DRC, South Africa, Pakistan, China and India are buying the gemstones at a price far below the international market price._

_These gemstone dealers are organised with networks from the communities, borders, and up to the final destination despite the existence of online companies who are registered under Global Online.

_“When compared with gold, gemstones are difficult to value at community or mine level because their value is based on perception; the price is negotiable depending on stone quality, market and the buyer,” the report added.

_“Artisanal miners, who dig for the stones, have little knowledge on the grading of the stones.

_“Valuing requires expertise, and this is lacking among the people who pick these stones.

_“Buyers exploit those who pick these stones by buying at very low prices, for instance, US$3 per kilogramme of aquamarine.

_“Some buyers offer US$500 for a cupful of gemstones._

_“One key informant revealed that once there was a coloured gemstone which was bought for $50 in Karoi and resold for US$12000 in Mozambique.”

“Despite hosting deposits for more than 90% of coloured gemstones found in the region, Zimbabwe has not been able to establish a robust market for the stones.

“Some of the agents withhold the stones and sell to illegal dealers, who provide immediate cash,” the report reads in part.

MMCZ has been accused of being lax in service delivery and processes exports at a snail’s pace which increasingly alienates it from miners and dealers.

In an interview with Mining Zimbabwe, we asked the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development Chairman Hon Edmond Mkaratigwa if the slow processing of export licenses wasn’t a catalyst for smuggling and what the parliament was doing to ensure MMCZ speeds up the process.

“That is a catalyst for smuggling, opting for other alternative countries by investors and discouragement of investment in those minerals locally. The Committee has not shied away from interrogating those issues. We actually set as our first priority, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in the sector and we have really surfaced most of these issues, including after getting hard evidence from private practitioners in the sector. It is still appalling to note that there are still such delays as in our approach, those are part of the fundamentals that can be dealt with internally without the need for external resources. A change in work culture is key for national development and that has been emphasised at the outset of the New Dispensation led by H. E. the President Cde. Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa. In our committee following its reconstitution, we identified such gaps and tried much to address that including cutting unnecessary time wasted in some procedures as well as through reduction of over-centralisation and increasing on recruitment. Much has been done in that regard, to the extent of being granted a budget allocation through our intervention.

What should be done?

According to mineral Economist Lyman Mlambo, the following six points are critical in reducing gemstone smuggling in Zimbabwe~

(1) We need to have a gemstone sector policy that covers all gemstones (both precious and semi-precious stones). We only have a diamond policy which leaves out 3 precious and more than 33 semi-precious stones. Policy guides the formulation of legal and regulatory instruments.

(2) We need legal reforms: (a) For a start we need the diamond policy to give birth to the Diamond Act, this has not happened – that would codify KPCS and make the implementation of the diamond policy effective, for example, we have positive provisions such as the Diamond Value Management Centre and the Gemology which were supposed to have been established by end of 2019; (b) we need a whole Gemstone Act – the Precious Stones Trade Act only regulates the trade of two gemstones (diamonds and emeralds) leaving out the rest.

(3) Improve our immigration, customs and port of exit controls. There is too much reliance on the human interface which results in many cases of bribery, exemptions of the VIPs, diplomats, and other politically exposed people, and manipulation of the manual systems. Increased automation will improve checks and tracking, and hence security. We need to improve our surveillance systems at the airports do that planes do not land and take off without detection as has been reported.

(4) Improve transparency and accountability in the sector.

(5) Formalization the ASM sector, in which much extraction and illicit trade of most gemstones other than diamonds are concentrated.

(6) Improve diamond valuation skills in the country and local value addition of gemstones.

What is being done to curb smuggling?

Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) Secretary for Semi-Precious and Gemstones Mr Privelage Moyo said as formalisation is being done, ZMF and its partners will open up markets in the country’s all provinces.

He said they intend to conduct awareness campaigns to encourage miners to sell their gemstones through the correct channels.

Moyo also said that the Federation has resolved to work on the expedition of the export process and reduce the turnaround time on exports.

“The issue is to have provincial and regional markets being opened. The first one will be opened in the Karoi, Hurungwe area. Then awareness campaigns will be also done concurrently with the opening of the markets,”

“So that at the end of the year sales will be recorded then at the same time, whilst production is optimized then marketing is established. Then also the need for the ease of export, so the turnaround on exports needs to be reduced so that we can see inflows of revenue so that we can surpass a US$50 million mark for the gemstones,” said Moyo.

Students create a breakthrough Mine Ventilation model

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Students create a breakthrough Mine Ventilation model

Three students from the Zimbabwe Schools of Mines have created what could be Zimbabwe’s reliable and affordable mine ventilation system for both small-scale and large-scale mining firms.

Rudairo Mapuranga

The Room and Pillar mine model which was exhibited at this year’s Mining, Engineering and Transport Expo (MINE ENTRA) was designed by three students Ephraim Musekwa, Tafadzwa S. Makata and Melina Moyo.

According to the students, the model was designed to encourage small-scale mines to use artificial ventilation systems like the Exhaust Ventilation system used on the model.

“The Exhaust ventilation system may only use one giant centrifugal fan on one shaft which will be the foul air exhaust shaft. So, this system requires more than one shaft to be in place at an underground mine, one or two shafts for fresh air intake and the other shaft for foul air exhausting,” the team said.

According to the students, the model was designed for various purposes which include, exhibiting how the underground Room and Pillar mine will look like when the overburden is removed, to show the underground mine room and pillar airflow system, exhibiting how the Exhaust Ventilation system works, to exhibit how fresh air strikes from the surface to underground workings, to show all ventilation elements like ventilation walls, ventilation doors, regulators and brattices and to show how fresh air is directed to the bottom of the mine, using the force-exhaust overlap system (auxiliary ventilation) as well as to show how foul air moves from underground to the surface through an exhaust fan.

How does the Exhausting Ventilation System work?

The principle of this system is primarily based on depressurizing the underground mine workings by the way of drawing foul air out of the mine using a single fan located on the surface through a vertical shaft. It regularly does not have any particular component to draw outside air into the underground workings but the negative pressure created underground draws in fresh air through declines or intake shafts.

Benefits of the Exhausting Ventilation System in underground mines

  • The system is relatively easy to work with and does not require much Capex to install. Typically, it consists of a single fan that is connected to a centrally located exhaust point, therefore, the operating cost is low enough and makes the system more economical.
  • The haulage roads, where most travel is done, are kept free from dust, gas, and smoke, hence allowing miners to perform their work in fresh air.
  • In the event of a fire or explosion, exhausting ventilation enables the rescue work to proceed more rapidly, because the fresh air is on the haulage road, which provides an easy route for carrying material and equipment to make mine repairs.
  • Both intake airways and track entries serve as escape ways if stopping lines are well maintained.
  • Greater power savings are possible if mine openings are small. This is due to the potentially greater recovery of velocity pressure through the use of discharge evase (gradual expansion of ducts) on exhaust fans.

According to the students, the Room and Pillar mine model was first off designed by Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) college students as a Group Practical assignment for the Mine Ventilation Module on the second of June 2022. It was a group of 10 students 5 from the Mining class and 5 from the Survey class. They designed it using cardboard boxes and presented the model to the ZSM Mining Lab-technician Mr Dube and our lecturer Mrs Z. Ndiweni. They appreciated the model and tasked the crew to design another model with better material.

This issue first appeared in the September 2022 issue of the Mining Zimbabwe Magazine

Favorsea Committed to Mining Safety

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Favorsea Committed to Mining Safety

Safety in mining is all of our concern and great strides have been made by mining industry employers as well as regulatory bodies to see this through. Globally, the Vision Zero campaign has integrated the approach to prevention under the banner of “safety, health, and well-being” at all levels of work.

With the widespread commitment to mining safety, collision avoidance systems (CAS) by way of proximity detection systems (PDS) are one such way of avoiding harm to people and property in mines. Favorsea Africa plays a pivotal role in the supply of machinery and technologies for both underground and open-pit mining throughout the globe.

In South Africa mining safety regulations have been under scrutiny since 1996 with the inception of the Mine Health and Safety Act (MHSA), and the 2015 amendments to the Chapter 8 regulations – which address the safe use of diesel-powered trackless mobile machinery (TMM). This legislation first necessitates that companies, based on an approved risk assessment, implement an automatic detection system, which can audibly/visually warn operators of an imminent collision (Level Seven Intervention). The second part stipulates that there must be some sort of automatic intervention by the system to prevent a collision if the operator fails to act and that the TMM must failsafe, if necessary (Level Nine Intervention).

With a system that is both easy to use for the operator, and provides real-time visibility and reporting for the back office it exceeds in making the mining environment safer. With Level Nine Intervention control over machinery; it is this intervention that allows for optimal safety controls on site. The system will initially send warning sounds to the operator and eventually automatically slow down the machinery. The system alerts the operator about other vehicles, obstacles, and personnel around it.

With Favorsea Africa‘s mining safety solutions you can address mining safety concerns such as fatigue detection, and blind spot monitoring which prevents operator fatigue and mining accidents and incidents. The Favorsea Africa CAS incorporates GPS positioning, radio frequency (RF) technology and artificial intelligence (AI) camera’s. Multiple radars detect any physical obstruction and relay data about the size and speed of the obstruction or approaching vehicles to the CAS. The software uses an algorithm to determine whether the machines are on a collision path and to take the appropriate action within milliseconds if the operator fails to do so. Favorsea GM Innocent Chimunhu noted that the company could also enable a failsafe mechanism if a client requests it. Further, the system’s parameters (range up to 100 m) for Level Nine and are determined by the risk assessment done on-site. Geofencing can be used in certain areas, for example, in the pit or on an access road to prevent entry to high-risk areas.

Mineworkers and visitors will use GPS tags. Non-mining vehicles will make use of a portable system to allow full functionality of the system on-site.

The CAS can be installed onto older ‘non-intelligent vehicles making the technology more accessible to operators and junior miners who might not necessarily have the capital to buy some of the latest model TMMs but still need to comply with the regulations. Another added benefit is that the system interfaces directly with OEM Canbus. The system has been proven to avoid accidents and incidents in various real-life scenarios: a head-on collision with both trucks accelerating toward each other, one truck accelerating towards a stationary vehicle, trucks approaching an intersection, and a queuing scenario.

As Favorsea Africa recently achieved ISO 9001 certification in Quality, Occupational Health, and Environmental Management – you can rest assured that your investment is in reputable hands and ensures that you are continuing with your daily operations.

Now more than ever, it makes sense and cents to invest in technologies that will keep mining employees as well as mobile equipment safe.

South Africa Office

15 Langa Cres, Zeekoewater 311-Js, Emalahleni, South Africa, email: [email protected]  Tel: 087 897 4981

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