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Interview: Moshen Jena – Explosives Engineering and Blasting Specialist

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Interview: Moshen Jena – Explosives Engineering and Blasting Specialist

Inside Mining Zimbabwe (IMZ) this month sat down with a man popular in the mining circles for the splendid work he is doing.

Moshen Jena (MJ) is an Explosives Engineering and Blasting Specialist currently working for the biggest explosives supplying company, AEL Intelligent Blasting Zimbabwe.

KS Good day Moshen Jena, a brief introduction of yourself.

MJ Thank you Mining Zimbabwe for having me. I am a results-oriented and innovative Explosives Engineering specialist with more than 10 years of cumulative experience in the industry. I have extensive knowledge of explosives, blast designing, blast planning, execution, post-blast analysis, blast technical support, and training, value-adding trials, explosives incidents investigations and management of big projects.

I am working for one of the biggest explosives supplying companies, AEL Intelligent Blasting Zimbabwe, as the Explosives Manager for the Zimplats Project. I am a holder of an Honours Degree in Mining Engineering (UZ 2009), Explosives Engineering (AEL 2016) and Masters in Business Administration (MSU 2019). Currently, I am pursuing a Masters in Explosives Engineering with Missouri Science and Technology.  I am an active member of the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE).

Though I am based at Zimplats, I have done work or been involved in Blasting Technical work for several mining and construction companies including Unki, Mimosa, KW Blasting, Trojan, Murowa Diamonds, Cam and Motor, Great Dyke Investments just but to name a few.

KS When is it decided that blasting is necessary at Mining level?

MJ Blasting is one of the key processes that one will encounter at a hard rock mining project. It is done to loosen or break consolidated material or hard rock. Blasting is called for as soon as you finish your free dig material (loose material that you can load with your loading machinery). In a typical mining, setup blasting can start right at the start of the project when construction work is done in trenching, digging foundations for infrastructure, overburden stripping, mine development work as well as blasting of the ore benches or stopes right through to demolition of the infrastructure.

KS What precautions are taken to ensure no lives are harmed during blasting?

MJ Every blast should be designed with care to manage environmental constraints such as fly rock, blast-induced ground vibrations, blasting fumes, noise, and air blasts. Before taking the blast one needs to make sure that they have cleared the blast danger zone of all people and equipment.

KS Is it safe to blast underground operations or it’s just for an open cast?

MJ With proper blast designing it’s safer to blast underground (my opinion). Almost all the underground mines are using drilling and blasting to break rock save for a few exceptional tunnelling projects that use tunnel boring machines.

KS How common is the Explosives Engineering profession and what would you say to those who are interested in becoming like Engineer Moshen Jena?

MJ Every Miner or Mining engineering professional is taught the basics of drilling and blasting. After completing a Learner Miners program at a mine and satisfying the requirements in terms of the number of shifts that are required, one is examined by a board set up by the Ministry of Mines and awarded with a Full Blasting Licence (FBL). Whereas, for one to be an Explosives Engineer, one needs to go for specialised rigorous training offered by Explosives Manufacturing Companies such as AEL Intelligent Blasting and a few Universities abroad that offer the same course. In Zimbabwe, there are only a handful of qualified explosives Engineers that I know of and currently, I am the only registered member of the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE). This is going to change soon, as we have already started grouping to register a Southern African Chapter of ISEE. This will help in advancing the science and art of explosives engineering.

KS What should one consider before buying explosives?

MJ Many different types of explosives exist on the market and they have different properties and applications. When choosing the type of explosive to use at a particular project one needs to have an understanding of the following:

  • Geology and rock mechanics of the rock.
  • Environmental factors of the area to be blasted.
  • Post-handling processes (loading, hauling, crushing e.t.c)
  • Properties of the explosives to be used.
  • Blast performance expectations.

Only after understanding these, then one can choose the right type of explosives to use in a particular job.

KS What would you say is a successful blasting?

MJ A successful blast is one that is safe and all the quality expectations are met. No injuries or damage to equipment and all the blasting KPIs such as fragmentation, advance, grade, perimeter control, etc. are met.

KS You are managing Explosives at one of Zimbabwe’s biggest and most progressive mines what would you say has been your biggest challenge at Zimplats?

MJ Zimplats is a demanding customer. Its operations are world-class and at the forefront of cutting-edge technology. On the other hand, AEL Intelligent Blasting offers a holistic approach to help its customers on their unique journey to optimal blast outcomes through IntelliBlast™, a model which brings out the superlative way AEL has always operated. With the help of our differentiated products and services, we partner with the mine on their journey to optimal blast outcomes, perfecting every step of the way.

KS What would you say is your greatest achievement in blasting?

MJ I have done so many value-adding projects in the explosives industry but one stands out for me. The project was entitled, Perimeter control in the incompetent ground. The project was on perimeter control in bad ground that I submitted as part of my Explosives Engineering course. The project was voted to be the best in 2017 and matched the standard that had been set by my friend and fellow Explosives Engineer, Vincent Tsoriyo. The project opened many avenues for me and I ended up being invited to present at the ISEE conference in 2018 in San Antonio.

KS More small-scale miners are using explosives. Are they doing it right? What’s your advice on correct blasting?

MJ True, there is a huge market for explosives in the small-scale mining sector and everyone agrees that this is a sector not to be ignored. My only worry is on training and technology adoption. If you look at the people who are handling explosives and conducting blasting operations you will notice that there is a big training gap and they continue to use the same blasting technology that has been passed to them by their predecessors. With proper training and the correct selection of explosives, the sector will notice an improvement in safety and productivity.

KS Many professionals in big mining organisations are of the notion that ASM are a bunch that are trying too hard but do not have the expertise but the truth of the matter is they are here to stay. Let’s say we get together people like yourself, the likes of Patrick Takaedza, Maison Phiri, just to mention a few to conduct workshops with organisations like ZMF. Can we not see an improvement in the ASM industry?

MJ I tell you Zimbabwe is well endowed with both natural and human resources to take it to the top. The only problem, is we are not singing from the same hymn. It’s up to the organisations like ZMF to pull together the different mining and processing professionals and have them work towards a common good.  Only last month, I presented at a training workshop organised by ZMF and the Zimbabwe School of Mines targeting small to medium-scale miners. The conference brought together various specialists in the mining industry together with academia.  The response from the Miners was overwhelming and I am convinced if such efforts are continued we will witness bigger things coming from the sector.

KS We once ran an article about you shining at the International Society of Explosives Engineer conference in America, in 2018. What has happened since then?

MJ That was an eye-opening opportunity and I am very grateful to my employers (AEL) for the exposure to an international audience. I got two more international invites in 2019, which I turned down to concentrate on my MBA Degree. However locally I have been very active, conducting public lectures at institutions like the University of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe School of Mines and various mining houses. Now that I have finished the MBA, please reserve a column in your magazine because there is a lot on the cards.

KS If there is anything you can change regarding the policy on blasting what would it be?

MJ The mining industry is moving with technology, but if you look at our policies they have remained stagnant and slowly becoming irrelevant. There is a need for a review of the Explosives Act and its regulations. I am glad to be one of the chosen to participate in the review of the act and the regulations.

KS Off work how do you spend your time?

MJ Moshen Jena is a family man, farmer and devout member of the ZAOGA FIF. I spend most of my time with my family, at the farm in Marondera or at Church in Redcliff where I stay.

KS Thank you Moshen Jena for giving us the opportunity and taking the time to talk to us. I hope our readers have learnt much from this conversation.

Moshen Jena Thank you very much for the wonderful work that you guys are doing.

This article first appeared in the March 2020 issue of the Mining Zimbabwe Magazine

Applications for gemstone dealing rejected

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Applications for gemstone dealing rejected

Most (if not all) Applications for the buying and selling gemstones on behalf of the MMCZ were unsuccessful mainly due to potential dealers not being able to meet the financial requirements. This was confirmed by those who were called to a meeting by the institution.

Interested individuals warmed up to the idea and saw it as the opening up the gemstone buying and selling market. MMCZ had invited interested citizens to be agents who will buy and sell gemstones on behalf of the Corporation. The move which aims at bringing in transparency and curbing corruption in the gemstone market had attracted the attention of Miners and Zimbabwean citizens from all walks of life.

Although the exact financial requirements have not been made public indicators are small-scale miners who are the primary gemstone producers are highly unlikely to qualify as they had taken the most interest in gemstone dealing.

Many African countries openly deal in Gemstones without stringent requirements creating opportunities for the citizenry. Below is an example of children selling their stones at an open market in Mozambique. 

 

The following was the Invitation by MMCZ to local gemstone marketers.

Interested Zimbabwean citizens (individuals and Corporates) are invited to submit an expression of interest to be considered and licensed as MMCZ sub-agents to purchase colored gemstones around the country and selling same through the Corporation as per MMCZ act chapter 21:04 MMCZ Gemstones sub agents are appointed in terms of SI 256 of 2019. The function of an MMCZ gemstone sub-agents is to buy colored gemstones from small scale miners within Special Grants as defined in the SI 256 of 2019 and sell the colored gemstones through Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe.

Terms of reference of the MMCZ Gemstones Sub-agents:

1. The MMCZ Gemstone Sub-agent shall keep in the prescribed form a register in which he/she shall enter, in respect of the colored gemstones dealing, such details relating to-

(a) the amount thereof purchased during the month

(b) the amount thereof held by him/her at the end of the preceding month

(c) the date of transaction

(d) the name and address of the other party to the transportation

(e) the nature and mass of the colored gemstones involved

(f) the price, if any paid or received

2. The MMCZ Gemstone Subagent shall later than the tenth day of each month submit monthly returns to MMCZ in the prescribed format in respect of gemstones purchased in the prior month.

3. If the MMCZ Gemstone Subagent is in possession of colored gemstones in excess of what is recorded in his/her register in terms of SI 256 of 2019 he/she shall be deemed to be in unlawful possession of such excess unless he proves to the contrary

4. An MMCZ Gemstone Subagent shall be obliged to sell whatever he/she would have acquired as per Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) act Chapter 21.04

5. Any person who contravenes subsection (1) shall have their licenses canceled.

To be considered for selection, prospective citizens must meet the following criteria:-

1. Must be Zimbabwean Citizen (individual or Corporate)

2. Have sufficient knowledge of gemstones e.g identifying, grading and pricing.

3. Ability to self-fund operations (proof of funds)

4. No criminal record- police clearance

5. An adequate understanding of the Mines and Minerals Act and MMCZ Act

6. Proof of resident/ secure offices.

Afrochine pays Oliken for Chrome mined by a middle aged couple, couple seeks justice

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Afrochine pays Oliken for Chrome mined by a middle aged couple, couple seeks justice

A middle-aged couple allocated chrome claims by an Afrochine agent lost over 20 tonnes of Chrome to Oliken (Pvt) ltd a Kwekwe based company which claims the couple was stealing the chrome from their site.

The Couple, Mr. and Mrs. Kanengoni first approached Afrochine to seek tributaries. Afrochine then directed the couple to an agent who was in charge of allocating claims on their behalf for tributary mining. The couple was allocated claims they should work on then proceeded to start mining. After mining over they contacted Afrochine who in turn sent inspectors and a truck to collect chrome. The couple got paid and continued working as usual.

“We approached Afrochine and were directed to an agent who gave us claims to work on. We produced chrome, Afrochine inspectors came graded our product and were paid per grade as usual”

This continued as usual with the couple smiling to the bank.

A dispute arose when the couple had spent three months mining and pilling chrome then raised over 20 tonnes of chrome followed the usual procedure. The Afrochine representative by the name of Mlaudzi inspected the chrome and a truck came and collected. To their surprise the next day a man called and claimed the Kanengonis’ had been stealing chrome from Olikem claims. Afrochine then proceeded to pay the Olikem instead of the couple without any consultations or any form of explanation. The Kanengonis only got to find out about this when they made payment follow up.

“To our surprise, a man called claiming we were stealing chrome from his company’s claims. We were shocked when we made a payment follow up that the man’s company (Olikem) had been paid. We protested to Afrochine why this was as we had never been summoned and the complainant to clarify the whole issue” said Mrs. Kanengoni “It was unbelievable as we did not just start mining from nowhere but an Afrochine agent had given us the claims on behalf of Afrochine. How is it that we mine for three straight months no one approaches us but when we submit chrome we are informed we had been stealing?”

This reporter then contacted Mr. Mugwaku the Oliken manager who said it was he who discovered the theft.

“My brother I intercepted a truck loading chrome and demanded Afrochine pays for the chrome that was being stolen from us” He said. When asked if Olikem had approached the “illegal miners” or taken any measures of stopping “the theft” or involve the Police like ZIMASCO had previously done he said,” No we have not since this is the first time this had happened”

The couple disputes that the Oliken manager had ever approached them or let alone been on site.

“Afrochine despite having given us the claims decided to pay someone else and imagine how difficult this was on us after putting in the time and labor then someone else got the payment. We have never seen this Mugwaku guy at the site. Our daughter’s dowry had just been paid and we used that money as capital”, The distraught Mrs. Kanengoni said. “If we can at least get the money we used for operations and labor it is better rather than lose everything to something that’s not of our own making”.

Afrochine then insisted we meet with the Oliken people and advised we go to their offices to get the matter sorted. Mr. Kanengoni went to the said place and could not find anyone and some people they said they should approach were non-existent.

“My husband went to the said place but could not get anyone. People who were in the area told me the office was hardly operational. We tried calling but only got excuse after excuse. When I called the manager he said he doesn’t know about us why should he entertain us. He insists we get our money where we delivered our chrome and stop bothering him. The Oliken manager is always rude but when Afrochine calls him in our presence he sounds sincere and acts as if he wants to resolve the issue when he does not. We never just walked on to the claims but were allocated by an Afrochine representative on their behalf, this is so unfair”.

The couple approached the Police who in turn accused the couple of stealing, threatened them with arrest to which the couple explained how they been allocated the place. The Police then advised them to find a solution with Oliken and Afrochine.

Oliken is currently not mining anywhere in the area as the manager admitted and the couple is suspicious this might be a syndicate between Afrochine employees and some unscrupulous characters using people to work and producing minerals then someone claims the product is from their mine then gets paid for it.

The Oliken manager said the couple should approach them so that they can reach an amicable solution.

The middle-aged couple resorted to approaching Norton miners Association who tried in vain to get the issue sorted as their messages were ignored. Messages sent to Afrochine Manager Mr. Ben by this publication and Norton Miners Association went unanswered.

This article first appeared in the March 2020 Issue of the Mining Zimbabwe Magazine

STATEMENT: Creation of currency stabilisation task force

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STATEMENT: Creation of currency stabilisation task force

Minister of Finance today addressed the country today against a background of recent exchange rate volatility, which has translated into unsustainable levels of inflation. In this regard, he said, the Government is taking measures to stabilise the exchange rate and top bring down inflation to sustainable levels in order to achieve macro-economic stability.

By the time of writting this post the Parrarel market rate was at 1us$ to 40zwl

See the full statement below

PRESS STATEMENT FX.pdf

 

Legal wrangle stalls Kamativi project

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Legal wrangle stalls Kamativi project

THE US$1,4 billion lithium mining project in Matabeleland North faces a fresh hurdle after Beijing Pinchang approached the Supreme Court challenging a recent High Court ruling granting the Zimbabwe Lithium Company mining rights of the tailings dump in Kamativi.

The Zimbabwe Lithium Company was involved in a legal battle two years ago over mining rights at the tailings dump at Kamativi with Beijing Pinchang, a Chinese firm, which in recent years expressed interest in reviving operations at the defunct tin mine. The dispute delayed activity towards re-opening of the mine.

The matter was heard at the High Court in Harare under case number HC8070/18 and in January this year, the High Court ruled in favour of Zimbabwe Lithium Company over mining rights at the tailings dump, paving way for the firm to begin processes to re-open the mine.

Zimbabwe Lithium Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Jimbata, had targeted to resume production at the mine last year but the deadline was missed because of the legal battle.

In an interview yesterday, Jimbata managing director, Mr John McTaggart, said the agreement between his organisation and Government gives them the sole rights to the tailings dump.

“We have another issue with the Chinese (Beijing Pinchang). They are now trying to take the dump back from us again. They have now appealed to the Supreme Court. All this happening is delaying investment and employment.

“We have got 250 people that we need to employ and it’s also against the ‘Open for Business’ mantra by the President (Mnangagwa). So, it’s a real problem,” he said.

Beijing Pinchang has approached the Supreme Court under case number SC75/20, challenging the High Court ruling granted in favour of Zimbabwe Lithium Company.

Following the High Court ruling, the lithium miner intended to install a US$10 million main plant between June and July this year prior to the establishment of a pilot plant, which was being imported from South Africa as the company sought to resuscitate operations at Kamativi.

About 250 people were expected to be employed under the first phase of the project. Before starting operations, the company had pledged to rehabilitate the road network to the mine as well as upgrade power infrastructure.

In March 2018, Jimbata undertook an evaluation exercise that entailed drilling holes to depths of 1 500 metres as well as sampling to determine the lithium resource in the tailings dumps at the disused mine. 

The results were then used for production of the NI 43-101 Compliant Resource Estimate for the Kamativi Tailings Project. In line with the Government’s call for beneficiation of mineral resources, Jimbata was also looking at beneficiating spodumene to lithium carbonate.

Kamativi Mine, which was wholly owned by the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC), was closed in 1994 due to the depressed international prices of tin.

Source: Chronicle

ZMDC has since partnered Jimbata to revive operations at the mine and focus is on producing lithium. Government has said up to seven minerals can be extracted at Kamativi after geologists confirmed a rich mix of deposits.

Lithium production is fast emerging as a potential game changer for Zimbabwe’s mining industry and economy at large as foreign investors have shown commitment towards the exploitation of the mineral.

Zimbabwe is endowed with vast lithium deposits but production is still lagging behind other global producers of the mineral, with only one company Bikita Minerals, presently producing while a similar mining project, Arcadia Lithium project is being developed by Prospect Resources in Goromonzi.

Source: Chronicle

RBZ asks mines to ramp up production

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RBZ asks mines to ramp up production

THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has urged the mining sector to ramp up production in order to increase its contribution to the national fiscus.

The mining sector is viewed as a locomotive of Zimbabwe’s development agenda, contributing over 60% of export proceeds in the last three years buoyed by critical minerals such as gold (small-scale miners delivering over 60%), platinum group of metals, nickel and chrome.

At its peak in 1997-1998, the sector employed approximately 65 000 workers in primary activities. Addressing business delegates at a Professionals Business Association of Zimbabwe breakfast meeting in Bulawayo on Friday, RBZ deputy director for Bulawayo, Kasanda Sibanda, said there was need to deepen the mining sector to increase its contribution to the fiscus.

“Mining can support sustainable economic development when domestic firms become integrated into mining company value chains,” Sibanda said.

“The benefits of increased mining linkages include contributions to incomes, jobs, upgrading of the industrial base, formalisation of firms, and increased tax revenue. In Zimbabwe, there is need to deepen mining backward, forward and horizontal linkages in order for the sector to support broad-based economic development,” he said.

Sibanda said domestic suppliers to the mining sector should develop and improve capabilities to service the mining sector in terms of not only price but quality, timeliness of delivery, flexibility and ability to supply to scale.

He said mining was an important activity for Zimbabwe which has contributed immensely to growth in the country.

“Increased exploration is needed to attract foreign direct investment in the sector. Value addition and mining beneficiation is also critical to enhance the contribution of the sector in the economy,” he said.

 

Source: Newsday

Mining firms fingered in tax evasion

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Mining firms fingered in tax evasion

THE country could be losing millions in potential revenue through tax evasion among other underhand dealings involving players in the mining sector, according to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra). 

Although mining contributes nearly 60 percent of the country’s foreign currency earnings and employs thousands of people, the tax authority believes more revenue could be harnessed to finance national development if players in the sector were fully compliant with tax laws.

Speaking during a mining business breakfast meeting organised by the Professionals Business Association of Zimbabwe (Probaz) in Bulawayo last Friday, a Zimra official, Mr Harold Chipaza, said the tax authority was facing numerous challenges in taxing the mining sector. 

“We are facing challenges in taxing the mining sector. These include tax evasion where some players escape the tax liability through concealing, misrepresentation, fraud and other unscrupulous activities. 

“We also have a problem of base erosion and profit shifting, trade mispricing and false invoicing,” he said without revealing any  names.

In a bid to evade taxation, Mr Chipaza said some mining companies were deliberately thinly capitalised, a practice in which a parent company uses debt to invest in a subsidiary and strips profits through interest payments on a loan rather than repatriating these through a dividend. 

He said fraudulent behaviour was rife in some mining companies as evidenced by deletion and concealment of some critical records in order to evade tax. 

Mr Chipaza said some mining companies were dipping their hands in smuggling of goods so as to avoid tax. 

He said other challenges faced in taxing mining industries had to do with money laundering and the use of tax havens, which require concrete strategies in order to bring the culprits to account. 

The situation could be compounded by the proliferation of informal mining activities across the country, whose operations are difficult to track and often happen without records. 

During discussion, participants highlighted that the drop in official gold deliveries from 33 tonnes in 2018 to 27 tonnes in 2019, for instance, has more to do with underhand trading of the precious mineral and avoidance of official routes. 

However, Mr Chipaza said the tax authority has put in place measures to ensure voluntary compliance by revamping its client education initiatives and continuous improvement of the tax legal framework.

“We are also encouraging transparency and disclosure of tax information and publication of the contributions to the fiscus,” he said.

“We are improving our infrastructure and systems to assist clients to easily comply with tax laws. We are also doing tax investigations in order to plug malpractices.”

To buttress these measures, Mr Chipaza said Zimra has also entered into agreements on information sharing with other jurisdictions including cargo tracking, border patrols, post clearance and enforcement of audits, scanning and the whistle blower facility. 

During the discussion, participants stressed the need for policy makers to review the mining and taxation laws to weed out inconsistencies, harmonise and promote data-base linkages. Such efforts also require thorough consultation and reviews by key players. 

There is also need to fight corruption. The event was attended by mining executives, consultants, Zimra, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and Ministry of Mines and Mining Development officials.

 

Source: Chronicle

Diamond miners want salaries in US$

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Diamond miners want salaries in US$

THE Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers’ Union (Zidamwu) has written to the government seeking to be allowed to bargain for salaries in line with the forex retention threshold.

In a letter to Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, Zidamwu general secretary Justice Chinhema said employers in the mining industry were retaining 55% forex after selling their minerals through Fidelity Printers and Refiners, but in return, paying workers 100% in local currency without indexing them to the interbank rates.

“Workers have been trying to engage individual employers as well as the Chamber of Mines through the National Employment Council to consider paying them salaries or wages in line with what they retain after selling what they mine without success citing that the law prohibits such bargaining because monetary authorities have directed them not to consider such arrangements,” the letter read in part.

“Workers are aware of the Finance Act and all its meaning, intention and objectives. It is from this background that workers seek to be exempted and be allowed to demand salaries or wages in line with what the employers are retaining.”

In the letter, Chinhema said besides it being unfair to the workers for employers to benefit alone, workers believe most of the money that the employers were retaining in United States dollars and cash in local currency was being channelled to the black market, where they get high premiums for Real Time Gross Settlement they then use to pay workers.

newsday

Miner tortured, killed for stealing gold by boss

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Miner tortured, killed for stealing gold by boss

A miner tied to a tree and severely tortured by his boss for allegedly stealing gold died on Sunday, four days after he was returned to his family barely clinging to life.

Fabian Mabhungu, 24, was abducted together with his friend Lenny Hwehwe, 25, after their boss only named as ‘Dread’ claimed they had declared gold with a shortfall of 70 grams worth US$3,400 at a mine in Shurugwi.

The men were driven to a wooded area in Chirumanzu where they were tortured over two days, allegedly on the orders of their boss.

Mabhungu was stripped naked and tied to a tree with webbing. He was whipped, punched and kicked for several hours on end until he lost consciousness.

Hwehwe was also so severely beaten doctors fear he will require a catheter to pass urine for the rest of his life.

Assistant Inspector Ethel Mukwende of Midlands police said they had launched a murder investigation.

Hwehwe was discharged from hospital on Monday, and was due to give a statement to the police.

He told reporters: “I’m in pain. We were abducted and assaulted over missing gold by our boss. That’s all I can say now.”

He said they were abducted on February 25 and savagely beaten for the next two days until they were freed on Thursday, reportedly after police began questioning ‘Dread’.

Fabian’s aunt, Theresa Mabhugu, said ‘Dread’ and his savage enforcers wanted the two artisanal miners to admit to stealing the gold, and reveal where they hid it.

She said Fabian and Hwehwe were returned to them on Thursday and they took them to Gweru Provincial Hospital where her nephew succumbed to his injuries.

“We have been to the police to file a report and we are also awaiting a post-mortem report,” she said.

Brutality against artisanal miners by mine owners is a common occurrence around Zimbabwe.

Last year, police arrested Kadoma miner Litten Chikowore after video emerged on social media showing him repeatedly striking a hapless man with a truncheon next to what appears to be a mine shaft.

Source: online

Thermal Imaging Solutions

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Thermal Imaging Solutions
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