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AAG to take unruly Chinese miners to task

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AAG to take unruly Chinese miners to task

Affirmative Action Group (AAG) Mashonaland West Province executive is coming up with a task force to take unruly Chinese Miners in the region to order, the group provincial Chairperson Mr Tapiwa Chikondowa has said.

Anerudo Mapuranga and Vongai Mbara

Speaking at the AAG Mashonaland West Province official launch held in Chinhoyi yesterday, Chikondowa said his executive is engaging the Mining Provincial Director Ms Mupindiwe in order to address unruly Chinese Miners for the latter to desist from their notorious habits.

He said Chinese who are mining chrome in Mutorashanga are ill-treating their workers and the community.

“In Mutorashanga, Chinese Miners who are mining chrome are ill-treating workers and community. We need investors who come with money, not investors to borrow. In Chikuti, the Chinese are doing stream bank mining. We tasked the Director of Mines to call all the unruly Chinese in Mashonaland West province, we need to hold them to account for whatever they are doing,” he said.

The Affirmative Action Group (AAG) which recently signed a US$20 million mining equipment deal with a Chinese firm, Lovol International Construction Machinery Group, also called youths and women to come forward and obtain mining equipment to increase mineral production.

Speaking at the launch of the AAG Mashonaland West Chapter in Chinhoyi yesterday, AAG president Mr Mike Chimombe encouraged women and youth to actively take part in the mining industry.

“Youths should play a pivotal role in rebuilding the country’s economy under the Second Republic. The President is on record saying no one will be left behind; so, this is an opportunity for youths to take part in the mining and agriculture sectors.

“We are calling on our youths to get into joint ventures and secure mining and farming equipment from us. Come to AAG and secure mining equipment so that you increase your production capacity,” he said.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mashonaland West Honourable Mary Mliswa-Chikoka who was also in attendance added that the inclusion of artisanal miners is vital in the mainstream economy.

“It is key for organisations such as the AAG to be seen taking an active role in mobilising for the lawful, transparent and meaningful entry of our people into the mainstream economy especially magweja as your theme suggest, Protecting the artisanal miners,” she said.

In addition, AAG has partnered with Munyukwa Chibanda Mining Syndicate with a view to empower youths in Mashonaland East by giving them a mining claim in Domboshava.

Fuel prices increase

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Fuel prices increase

Fuel prices in Zimbabwe yesterday increased from an average of US$1,37 to 1,40 for blend and US$1,30 to 1,38 per litre respectively.

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) yesterday published the new prices. As usual, the regulator said filling stations that can afford to sell below cap are permitted to do so.

Fuel in places like High Glen, Willowvale usually sell below cap with Puma in the area recently selling petrol at US$1,24 and Mashwede selling at US$1,28 whilst in areas like Westgate Puma fuel always sells at the maximum price regulated by ZERA mainly due to lack of competition. PUMA is the only filling station regularly selling fuel at Westgate with its neighbour Total turning into a white elephant.

The energy system is suddenly in crisis around the world as the cost of oil, natural gas and coal has climbed rapidly in recent months. In China, Britain and elsewhere, fuel shortages and panic buying have led to blackouts and long lines at filling stations.

The situation in the United States is not quite as dire, but oil and gasoline prices are high enough that President Biden has been calling on foreign producers to crank up supply. He is doing so as he simultaneously pushes Congress to address climate change by moving the country away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy and electric cars.

U.S. energy executives and the Wall Street bankers and investors who finance them are not doing anything to bolster production to levels that could bring down prices. The main U.S. oil price jumped nearly 3 per cent on Monday, to about $78 a barrel, a seven-year high, after OPEC and its allies on Monday declined to significantly increase supply.

Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA)

The Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) is a body corporate established in terms of the Energy Regulatory Authority Act [Chapter 13:23] of 2011. It is mandated to regulate the entire energy sector in Zimbabwe in a fair, transparent, efficient and cost-effective manner for the benefit of the consumers and energy suppliers. ZERA derives its mandate from the Energy Regulatory Authority Act [Chapter 13:23] of 2011 read together with the Electricity Act no 4 of 2002 [Chapter 13:19], the Petroleum Act [Chapter 13:22] of 2006 and subsequent amendments.

New fuel Prices

Diesel 50 US$1,38

Blend E20 US$1,40

 

2 injured, 22 arrested at a demo against mining company

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2 injured, 22 arrested at a demo against mining company

Penhalonga community mobilised against a mining company, Prime Royal Africa (PRA) on the accusation that the company is linked to associations with machete gangs.

Shantel Chisango

On Friday last week, the community rallied up against PRA demanding the latter leaves the community with immediate effect.

During the demonstration, two people were injured.  The police had to fire shots to disperse the angry crowds.

Twenty-Two (22) locals were arrested, and 15 were released without charge, while 7 were taken to Mutare Magistrate’s court and later released but will be back at court on the 19th of October facing charges of inciting and committing public violence.

Commenting on the demonstrations at Penhalonhga, Farai Maguwu Director at Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) said that unless the mining sector is depoliticised there will be disputes throughout the country.

“These conflicts will escalate countrywide leading to the breakdown of law and order unless the government depoliticises mining, enforces regulations, ensures locals’ interests are considered and improves the entire economy as opposed to the current focus on mining only,” commented Maguwu.

Besides being linked to machete gangs, the PRA is allegedly accused of causing environmental armageddon, moral decadence and crimes in the community.

Maguwu stated that PRA is a shadowy company with no prior experience in mining but muscled its way into Redwing in 2018 through its political connections and that the ecological disaster unfolding in Penhalonga is heartbreaking.

He went on to mention that the company brought several hundred machete gangs into Penhalonga. Predictably conflict was inevitable.

ZMF MashWest in formalization, standardisation to maximize production

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ZMF MashWest in formalization, standardisation to maximize production
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) Mashonaland West Province has continued to seek initiative for the development and growth of the small scale and artisanal mining sector through formalization and standardisation in order to maximize production.
Rudairo Mapuranga
According to ZMF MashWest Chairperson Mr Timothy Chizuzu, standardisation of Small-scale mining through advancing to professional mining is of great significance for small scale Miners to achieve ZMF’s target to contribute US$4 billion in revenue by 2023.
Chizuzu said institutions like the school of mines should work in reciprocal with small scale Miners to achieve world-class and advanced small scale mines that have the ability to mine low grades and very deep.
“Small Scale Miners should be assisted in terms of skills development. We have discovered that the office of mining engineers, geologists and metallurgists are of utmost importance in the maximization of production to reach the US$12 billion mining industry.  We recommend that institutions like the school of mines should bring their students to Miners to assist in the standardisation process, we need them, they need us” Chizuzu said.
He said his executive was working towards educating Miners to take exploration very serious through their mining journey.
He said exploration and standardisation of small scale mining are significant if the government is to achieve President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s vision for the country to become an upper-middle-income economy by 2030 and the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development’s vision for the industry to contribute US$12 billion annual revenue can also be achieved.

600 gold claims forfeited

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600 gold claims forfeited

About 600 gold claims owned by small-scale miners in Matabeleland South province have been forfeited to the Mines ministry after the owners failed to pay inspection fees.

Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) general council secretary Philemon Mokuele, who is based in Gwanda, yesterday told Southern Eye that the claims were forfeited recently following an inquiry on the mining activities in the province.

“Recently, small-scale miners forfeited close to 600 claims to the Mines ministry because they had failed to pay inspection fees. Most small-scale miners are still waiting for assistance from the government. They don’t have enough equipment, which automatically means expecting donations or development from them will be very unfair,” Mokuele said.

“The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) regularly visits their sites for inspection and if they don’t follow the law, they are given tickets to pay a fine, or their operations are stopped,” Mokuele said.

He said commercial mines contributed towards community share ownership trusts (CSOTs) which resulted in a lot of development in Gwanda.

“We saw clinics being built, drilling of boreholes. Laboratories were constructed, although one company didn’t comply,” he said.

Matabeleland South acting provincial mining director Khumbulani Mlangeni said: “Forfeiture is a legal requirement for the Ministry of Mines once your claim is overdue in terms of payment, and in terms of the Mines Act.

“The office posted 184 mining titles or blocks of claims (approximately 1 500 hectares on August 4, 2021, for forfeiture on the notice board as per sections 260 and 271 of the Mines and Minerals Act, of  which 80 titles were revoked after holders paid revocation fees within the 21-day window (section 272), thus 104 mining titles were forfeited.”

Mlangeni said after the expiry of 35 days from the day of posting of forfeiture notice, any Zimbabwean aged 18 years or above may apply for, and peg a mining title over the forfeited ground provided it is open for pegging and prospecting.

“Some big mines complied with the previous Indigenisation Act and are part of Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust and work with the rural district council on infrastructure development and other projects within the community,” he said.

“Some mines may through CSOT assist communities where the need arises, for example, Blanket Mine has capacitated Gwakwe community with a horticulture project at Sigodo business centre.”

Mlangeni added that issues to do with illegal mining and violent conflicts were referred to the police.

Newsday

RioZim in US$1,5bn loss

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RioZim in US$1,5bn loss

POST-TAX losses at RioZim Limited widened to $1,5 billion during the half year ended June 30, 2021, after heavy rains triggered flash floods and crippled operations at the firm’s flagship Cam & Motor Mine.

RioZim posted a $77,4 million loss during the same period last year.

The ZSE-listed mining giant said it was running into headwinds stemming from rolling blackouts of up to eight hours a day, which held back production across Zimbabwe’s industries.

However, the volatile currency, which has this year suffered its worst drabbing against the United States dollar, lifted revenues to $2,6 billion during the period from $616,4 million previously, according to RioZim chairperson Saleem Beebeejaun.

“The marked increase in revenue was a direct result of the depreciation of the local currency against the United States dollar,” Beebeejaun said in a commentary to the financial statements.

“Resultantly, the low production achieved led to a loss of $1,5 billion compared to the same period prior year’s loss of $77,4 million.

“Cam & Motor Mine suffered from incessant rains during the first quarter, which made some of the areas in the mine’s open pits inaccessible resulting in the mine obtaining lower grade ore than planned.

“Cam also experienced persistent rain-induced breakdowns on the plant which also negatively affected plant throughput.

“Consequently, gold production for the period fell by 9% to 181kg compared to the prior period’s 199kg,” noted Beebeejaun.

Zimbabwe experienced one of its best rainfalls during the 2020/21 agricultural season.

But this became the biggest threat to mining companies.

Overall gold production at RioZim, which controls Dalny and Renco mines, retreated by 4% to 564kg during the review period, compared to 586kg previously.

RioZim said its biological oxidation (Biox) plant at Cam & Motor Mine would be brought online before the end of this year.

The plant will see the mining group process precious minerals.

“The company is focused on the completion of and commissioning of its Biox plant project before the close of the financial year as this project remains a key priority for the group.

“All outstanding equipment deliveries were fast-tracked subsequent to period end after payments of the final instalments are continuing in earnest,” Beebeejaun.

Newsday

Missing gold ore, 16 year old shot dead

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Missing gold ore, 16 year old shot dead

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Chikuti have arrested Doesmore Charumari (49) in connection with a murder case that occurred at the Afro-Asia Gold mine on 02/10/21 at about 0800 hrs.

The suspect fired one shot into the crowd with a revolver, during a scuffle over alleged stolen gold ore, and shot the victim, Asana Mandara (16) on the forehead.

Violence and murder are prevalent in the mining sector. Recently a video of eight men being brutally beaten lying face down in the dirt went viral on social media. The beating was being administered because of stolen gold ore. The perpetrator was demanding to know where the ore is and promised not to stop till it was found.

Firebrand Norton Member of Parliament Temba Mliswa on Twitter pointed out that the shameful act happened at G’n’P mine.

“This is from G’n’P Mine run by Mudha using his nephew Energy Dha Ncube. Such callous things happening & when sanctions are put people complain. They are addicted to gold. I challenge the ZRP to investigate& arrest these people. We must be able to protect the innocent,” Mliswa said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Police arrested 97 people throughout the country for engaging in illegal mining activities, while two people were arrested for carrying dangerous weapons.

Through its Twitter handle, the Police said it nearly 50 thousand people have been arrested since the inception of operation Chikorokoza Ngachipere (illegal mining must stop).

“Cumulative arrests since the commencement of the operation targeting illegal miners and people carrying dangerous weapons stand at 49 906. “ the police said.

 

BREAKING: Facebook, Whatsapp, instagram backonline

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BREAKING: Facebook, Whatsapp, instagram backonline

World’s biggest social media platforms Facebook, Whatsapp and Instagram are now back online after more than five hours in hibernation.

It is not clear what caused the social networks blackout with reports suggesting remote access was cut off meaning technicians have to physically travel to the servers to rectify the problems.

Mining Zimbabwe has a Facebook page and eleven WhatsApp groups that were also part of the outage.

 

 

 

Retraction: Prospect Resources low on cash to fund operations

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Retraction: Prospect Resources low on cash to fund operations

Earlier today we published an article “Prospect Resources low on cash to fund operations”. The article was extracted from a press release from the Prospect Resources website. Unfortunately, we misinterpreted the release leading to an inaccurate article. We would like to advise all who came across the article to disregard the article in its entirety.

We would like to unreservedly apologise to the Prospect Resources management, shareholders and everyone concerned. We are in touch with the Prospect directors and we will constantly be in communication with them as key players in the achievement of the 12 billion Industry.

ZMF CEO to Speak at Uganda’s (UCMP) annual conference

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ZMF CEO to Speak at Uganda’s (UCMP) annual conference

Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) Chief Executive Officer Mr Wellington Takavarasha is set to speak at the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum (UCMP) 10th annual mineral conference.

Rudairo Mapuranga

The event will be held under the theme, leveraging public and private sector efforts to develop Uganda’s mineral sector. The event will see the ZMF CEO in skills exchange between the two mining bodies over the growth and development of the mining sector in Africa.

The event will be held online on Tuesday and Wednesday will see Takavarasha representing Zimbabwe’s small scale and artisanal mining at an international stage.

The Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum (UCMP) is a not-for-profit, Member-based voluntary organization that represents the interests of private players in the mining and petroleum sectors in Uganda by collaborating with the state to develop the country’s extractive sector.

Launched in 2010, UCMP coordinates and facilitates information sharing, advisory and administrative support to prospective and current investors in the mining and petroleum sectors in Uganda. It also promotes, encourages, protects and fosters responsible mining, beneficiation and service delivery in these sectors.

Takavarasha is a highly experienced miner who has addressed many local and international audiences. Zimbabwe is highly recognised worldwide as an experienced player in Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) with an estimated 1,5million people plying the trade.

ZMF is Zimbabwe’s biggest miners body by far with millions of members.

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