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China to stop funding coal projects abroad

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China to stop funding coal projects abroad

President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping yesterday pledged to end all coal-fired power projects abroad.

Shantel Tyne Chisango

The Republic of China has been investing in coal-fired power projects in Zimbabwe, the Lusulu 1 Binga Cola plant, and also including the Sengwa Coal plant which was recently stopped due to the Bank of China which had withdrawn its financial support.

In pursuit towards carbon dioxide emission before 2030, while achieving carbon neutrality before 2060, China hence proposed to stop all coal-fired projects investments outside China.

On the same note, China promised to continue supporting developing countries developing green and low-carbon energy.

Xi Jinping further stated the importance of achieving economic development globally and ensuring that global development is made a priority.

“We need to put development high on the global macro policy agenda, strengthen policy coordination among major economies, and ensure policy continuity, consistency and sustainability,” said Jinping.

Currently looking at Zimbabwe, it is quite clear that the country relies heavily on coal for the production of electricity, so the move by China to stop all fundings abroad will cripple the sector considering that China is one of the biggest investors in the country.

Zimbabwe’s coal industry has existed for a century, and the country possesses 10.6 billion to 26 billion tons in reserve which is enough to last another 100 years.

In addition to the facility scheduled for Gokwe, Zimbabwe has four coal-fired power plants — in Harare, Munyati, Bulawayo and Hwange towns.

South Mining, HLB build a US$100 000 library

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South Mining, HLB build a US$100 000 library

HWANGE Local Board (HLB) has partnered with South Mining (Pvt) Limited to construct a state-of-the-art public library at an estimated cost of US$100 000 with the aim of improving education standards in the district. This was revealed in the council’s latest report.

Hwange chairperson Nqobile Ocean Mabhena said the construction of the public library was part of the local authority’s strategy to create synergies with private players for the development of the district.

He said they entered into a public-private partnership arrangement with South Mining for the construction of the library.

Mabhena, however, said owing to the prevailing economic challenges the council was financially constrained to carry out some of the projects.

“We have to resort to alternative models of funding to embark on some of the projects and one such way is venturing into partnerships with private players,” he said.

The library, he said, was expected to be technologically a modern facility.

“The library won’t be your traditional type of building filled with stacks of books and resources. Apart from offering a wide range of books, it will consist of electronic resources such as computers and Wi-Fi, encouraging users to do more in terms of research. Over and above that, we expect it to be a relational library where people meet and interact,” he said.

Mabhena said the library would play a pivotal role in improving the pass rate in Hwange district.

“Hwange district has always had the highest pass rate in the province but there is a need to improve nationally and I believe this library can play a part in that,” he said.

South Mining representative Charles Muchabaiwa said the construction of the public library in Empumalanga high-density suburb was expected to be complete before the end of the year.

He said the move was part of the coke processing company’s social corporate responsibility.

“We are looking at investing about US$100 000 towards the construction of an upmarket library including purchasing of related ancillary equipment to be used there such as computers and furniture,” he said.

“Construction of the library is one of the many ways of ploughing back to the community from which we operate. This library won’t be your traditional form of a library but it will be highly technological.”

The company has already cleared and fenced off the area designated for the construction of the library.

Newsday

Afrochine pursues better health standards for its workforce

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Afrochine pursues better health standards for its workforce

Afrochine, Zimbabwe’s largest chrome smelting operation, is in pursuit of maintaining superior health standards for all its staff.

Shantel Chisango

Last week, the company embarked on medical examinations on all of its employees at Selous, where two medical doctors and X-ray personnel were stationed.

The endeavour followed the company’s vaccination campaign, in which employees and their families were inoculated against illnesses.

Afrochine said the company’s goal is not to be the best only in the market, but also in aspects to do with the community, health, safety, and quality.

“We strive to be leaders not just in industry but also in community, health, safety and quality,” said Afrochine in a statement.

Afrochine Smelting (Pvt) Ltd was established in 2012 and is a subsidiary of China’s second-biggest stainless steel products manufacturer Tsingshan Group.

The company is currently setting up a state of the art ferrochrome smelting plant in Selous.

Afrochine Smelting P/L accomplished the construction of 2 x 16.5MVA smelters with a capacity to produce 50,000 metric tons of ferrochrome per year, as the first phase of the project.

These smelters are being constructed in Selous, which is located about 80km from the capital Harare. The total investment on the first phase is in the region of USD 25 million. The project will consume 120,000 metric tons of chrome ore and 24,000 metric tons of coke per year.

Chinese company apologises for mining without traditional blessings

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Chinese company apologises for mining without traditional blessings

A Chinese diamond company, Anjin Investment, which resumed operations early this year, has publicly apologised to Headman Chiadzwa for resuming operations without a paying courtesy call to the traditional leader first.

Vongai Mbara

Speaking at Headman Chiadzwa’s compound last week,  Anjin human resources manager Amon Mhlanga apologized for the company’s resuming operations without paying a courtesy call to the traditional leader as per traditional protocols.

“We would like to apologise to Headman Chiadzwa for our failure to pay a courtesy call when we came back to mine in his area. We are very sorry and we admit that we erred. We did not follow the protocol to visit the headman and advise him of our presence in his area,” said Mhlanga.

The meeting was held in conjunction with a visit by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development led by Hon Edmond Mukaratigwa.

Present at Headman Chiadzwa’s homestead were community-based, and civil society organisations among other stakeholders.

Mhlanga went on to advise the community that their company was no longer involved in human rights violations.

“We know there are legacy issues but we promise you to resolve some of the outstanding issues. Our company is not yet financially strong like ZCDC (Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company). We are still trying to make things work but definitely, we will attend to community issues,” Mhlanga concluded.

He promised to engage his Chinese counterparts on the issue of respecting local cultures and observing human rights.

Illegal mining Increase GBV and Child pregnancy in Esigodini

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Illegal mining Increase GBV and Child pregnancy in Esigodini

Illegal mining activities in Matebeleland South’s Esigodini area have led to increased Gender-Based Violence, GBV cases as well as child pregnancy.

Vongai Mbara

Bulawayo based Women Institute for leadership, WILD had a meeting with Esigodini residents where these issues were raised.

“The purpose of the meeting was to educate Habane (township) residents on GBV and how as citizens we can mitigate against this pandemic.” WILD communications officer, Bridget Ndlovu said.

“Over the years, residents in Habane have been sharing that there is a rise in GBV with many young girls becoming victims of GBV.

“We thought it is necessary that we engage residents and try to raise awareness on this important issue, particularly for women and men. We invited men because it is important to have them so that we can eradicate this GBV.”

Habane councillor, Patson Sibanda said GBV cases were not being properly handled in Esidodini due to the pandemic.

“Some of the cases were not effectively attended to but as the lockdown is easing up, some of these cases are now being taken care of and referred to the police,” Sibanda said.

“The most serious issue is the girl child and this lockdown has given them free time to roam around and some of them have been impregnated. We are emphasizing parents not to shun those little girls that are pregnant, they should go to school as it is their right.

Sibanda said residents were worried that artisanal miners were being linked to these GBV cases and exploitation.

“These illegal miners have money and they are manipulating young girls. There is also the issue of overcrowding in houses due to the influx of these illegal miners,” he said.

Esigodini Residents Association chairperson Gift Ndleya said many schoolgirls were being impregnated by illegal miners.

“Esigodini is a place where there is money due to mining activities,” Ndleya said.

“If only government can help us, we are not saying we do not want outsiders but what is happening here is out of hand.

“Our children are being abused and this affects their future. Many of these children are now pregnant or are now someone’s wife at a young age. Children should not be made to work as breadwinners when parents are there. They have to go to school. Parents should also educate their children on issues of GBV.”

Plan International Zimbabwe representative Faithful Mangena said some parents were concealing their children’s pregnancies.

“Some parents do not care about the future of their children. When the perpetrator is a relative, most of these cases are being hidden.

“Families wanting to protect their family names, hide those issues and that affects the confidence of girls at school. Parents also fail to educate their children on reproductive health and rights.

Mining corporations must invest in community development

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Mining corporations must invest in community development

Marange community is urging mining corporations to make them beneficiaries of the minerals they extract from their land.

By Shantel Chisango

A resident of the Marange community, Billian Matambo, stressed the necessity of being made benefactors of mineral extraction, saying that infrastructural development by mining companies is vital.

“We need permanent structures built by mining companies that are mining from our community,” said Matambo.

He further went on to emphasise the importance of community development by mining companies saying diamonds are non-renewable hence the need to develop vicinities while exploring minerals.

Adding on, Matambo said that diamonds are non-renewable minerals, that is why communities are urging companies to develop their land.

“Modern schools, better roads, bridges, and modern hospitals must be established so that when the mining companies are gone, we can have something tangible that will be of benefit to us,” he added.

Mining companies continue to enter remote communities to search for exploitable mineral reserves and most of these frontier locations are home to indigenous, poor and vulnerable people.

Sarin (2006) says mining may have the potential to have positive development impacts, but companies can inadvertently or carelessly exacerbate an already poor situation for some community members, particularly those with the least resources.

Adding to people’s vulnerability is the fact that the legal frameworks of many mining frontiers fail to adequately protect civil rights or are ineffective, corrupt or not trusted.

The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM),  concludes that governance weakness, particularly at the sub-national level, is the main factor limiting positive development impacts from mining companies, (McPhail, 2008).

ZMF in mechanization outreach program to promote formalisation

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ZMF in mechanization outreach program to promote formalisation

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) President Ms. Henrietta Rushwaya in an effort to push for the growth and development of artisanal and small-scale mining will do a mining mechanization outreach program for data collection, the organisation CEO Wellington Takavarasha said.

Rudairo Mapuranga

ZMF is targeting Small-scale miners to contribute US$4 billion to the targeted US$12 billion mining economy by 2023, the outreach program is therefore of significance to the achievement of the mark.

Takavarasha said Rushwaya and her team are going to visit at most three mining sites in each province for the data collection.

“President Ms. Henrietta Rushwaya will do a mining mechanization outreach program to all the mining provinces. The purpose of this outreach program is to do an artisanal and small-scale mining needs assessment data collection. Apart from the Know Your Client (KYC) issues, other parameters that will be looked at during the visit include but are not limited to the following

➢ Mine management and records

➢ Statutory compliance

➢ Geological information

➢ Capitalization of the project and expansion capabilities

“The President and her entourage will visit at most 3 mining sites in each province. This will be coordinated by Provincial Council Executive Committees. Full details of the calendar of events for the outreach program will be unveiled in due course.” Takavarasha said.

Earlier this month ZMF CEO Takavarasha said artisanal and small-scale miners have an important role to play towards the realization of the US$12 billion mining economy.

“Statistics of production indicate that the US$12 billion mining economy is being achieved in various mining sectors. US$4 billion has to come from the ASM. Fidelity Printers receipts of small-scale miners indicate that the sector is producing 60 percent of total gold output. The role of ASM is very important. Currently 70 percent of the minerals being mined is gold while 30% constitutes other minerals,” said Takavarasha during an interview.

Takavarasha pointed out that formalisation of the ASM sector is overdue.

“As long as the government is benefiting from the artisanal and small-scale mining sector operations, there is definitely a need to formalize. There have been some engagements at Mines and Finance Ministries and they are going to meet and come up with a Statutory Instrument that legalizes and policies that have a framework for the ASM sector. This has been on the cards,” he said.

Meanwhile, Takavarasha said the Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected the ASM sector.

“Covid-19 has greatly impacted the ASM sector. We have had challenges such as cash shortages. Cash shortages are emanating from the fact that commercial flights that have been coming into the country and the international flights were being restricted. Therefore, this impacted on Fidelity Printers having cash. There were acute shortages at Fidelity Printers and Refineries because of the pandemic,” he said.

Consequently, the situation led to a significant drop in production.

Minerals must be reserved for local communities.

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Minerals must be reserved for local communities.

Communities have been complaining about politically and financially stable individuals who snatch mineral resources from poor communities, and are demanding that minerals must be reserved for communities.

Shantel Chisango

Such complaints came after rich tycoons have been recorded to forcefully grab mines from locals using their political powers.

MiningZimbabwe recently visited a community in Chegutu where the community was crying foul of rich people coming to their communities taking their mineral resources.

Cases have also been reported all around the country whereby foreigners or rich businessmen come claiming mines that locals would have been extracting minerals from.

There is urgence from the government’s side to form policies that protect local communities from being robbed of their resources by rich tycoons.

Furthermore, the government must make an initiative to educate local communities over all the procedures that must be followed when mining so that they do not engage themselves in illegal mining.
Moreover, communities must always research information about all that needs to be done before engaging in mining activities  to avoid being duped by rich tycoons.

Local communities must be given the privilege to enjoy mineral resources that surrounds them do that their communities can be developed.

In addition, policies must be enforced to stop daylight robberies of minerals from the community.

Investors must not be given more of the minerals and more profits than the country can benefit from the venture that would have been done.

‘Gvt must establish a quarter system for women in mining’ – ZELA

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‘Gvt must establish a quarter system for women in mining’ – ZELA

Zimbabwe Environmental and Law Association (ZELA) said the government must establish a quarter system whereby a portion of land is set aside for women who wish to venture into mining.

Shantel Chisango

Speaking on the issue of empowering women, ZELA Programme Assistant Fadzai Midzi stated that the mining sector is a male dominant and labour-intensive place, hence there is a need to set aside land for the women so that they do not face harsh conditions when working.

“We need affirmative action, some form of a quarter system whereby the government sets aside maybe a piece of land meant for women who want to do mining.”

Mrs Midzi mentioned that there is still plenty of work which needs to be done when it comes to empowering women in the mining industry.

“There is a need for the government to create diversification for all women in the sector, as well as create an enabling environment to make sure that women are knowledgeable of all the procedures in mining,’ said Fadzai.

Although there is still a long way to go in empowering women in the mining sector, Fadzai said the government has been trying its level best in supporting them.
She mentioned that through the Fidelity Life Printers (FPR), the government was able to establish the gold funding for women which assists women with all they need in mining.
She went on to say that the presence of the School of Mines has been greatly appreciated since it has assisted women in becoming knowledgeable in the mining industry.

Women in the mining sector have been vulnerable to abuse, victimisation, and men using intimidation to forcefully take their mines.

Unki Mines boost Zimbabwe’s platinum output

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Unki Mines boost Zimbabwe’s platinum output

Zimbabwe’s platinum output has increased by 17% to 128 000 ounces (oz) during the second quarter of this year compared to last year after processing matte backlogs from Unki mine.

Vongai Mbara

 In a report, World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) confirmed the development.

“Zimbabwean production increased by 17% year-on-year as a backlog of matte from the Unki smelter was processed through the ACP and refined,” the report said, noting that platinum production stood at 110 000oz during the second quarter of 2020.

The WPIC projected that Zimbabwe’s platinum output would rise by 17 000oz this year as the backlog of semi-finished inventory is refined in South Africa.

Last year, Zimbabwe produced 448 000oz of refined platinum.

Zimbabwe is currently the world’s third-largest proven platinum reserves after South Africa and Russia, and what it produces has an impact on global output and pricing trends.

Platinum is one of Zimbabwe’s biggest foreign currency earners, with South African mining companies such as Impala Platinum (Implats) and Anglo-American Platinum (Amplats) owning the biggest PGM mines in the country.

According to the government’s vision of attaining a US$12 billion mining economy by 2023, platinum is expected to contribute US$3 billion per year.

According to WPIC,  global supply jumped by 65% year-on-year to 1,6 million ounces during the period, the highest output per quarter in the past two years.

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