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Gvt should Issue licenses first before calling for ASM ban – Moyo

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Norton Miners Association Chairperson Privelage Moyo has castigated the stance by the Police Commission General (CG) to ban all Artisanal and Small scale mining activities that are yet to receive licenses from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development as an uninformed statement which is maybe motivated by emotions risen after a police officer who was killed by machete gangs.

Rudairo Mapuranga

Following the death of the police officer who was killed in Kadoma by machete-wielding criminals, the Police have said that they are going to ban illegal mining activities around the country.

According to Moyo the Commissioner-General of Police was not supposed to order the ban of unlicensed mining activities since some of these people are contributing immensely to the national fiscus.

Moyo also said that the machete attacks do not only happen to undocumented mines but happens to anyone who is in the small scale and artisanal mining sector so for the police to try and ban those without mining documents because of the machete gangs is an unreasonable position.

The Norton Miners Association chairperson said that the machete gangs are not miners but thieves who mainly rob small scale and artisanal miners, according to Moyo the solution is to contain all machete gangs not to ban mining activities.

“He represents law enforcement and as such he should not act this way nor utter reckless statements because a police officer is down.

” We had been crying for his action years before, for him to act when miners were being killed in the pits.

” These machete gangs do not ask for mine documents when attacking, that show that the commissioner general is out of touch with reality.

“Machete attacks are not motivated by unregistered miners but by powerful people as Hon Mliswa alluded.

” The CG totally shows that he is out of touch, in August when we held a meeting at liquid bar, the representative from the office of the President shared his views as an advise that inaction by the police will lead to the gangs searching and asking civilians for passports in or out of Norton.

“The CG should just follow the law than to call for banning of something which he is either not sure of or out of touch with, that’s why we always advocate for Synergises within ministries.

Now he is acting as the machete issue is new when the ministry of mines is fully aware of the loss of innocent miners. What he doesn’t understand is Machete gangs are not miners but thieves.

” If we look it his statement another way round, let’s ask if car robberies increases are the Police going to ban the use of motor vehicles, or if housebreaking increases, is he going to ask for only title deeds holders and call for demolish of those without. Sometimes I wonder at the level of our actions by our leaders.

ASM are eager to have their operations regularised but the Ministry of Mines need also to put their house in order as it is taking more than 2 years to have applications processed. Last year the ministry was dealing with a whole lot of backlog applications ranging from 2017 of which most applications before never got an action.

“The simplest thing is to deal with the Machete gangs and make citizens enjoy their peace,” said Moyo.

Small scale and artisanal miners have contributed significantly to mineral production especially in the gold sector where ASM accounts for over 60 percent of the gold delivered to Fidelity Printers and Refineries.

Caledonia Mining rewards shareholders

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Caledonia Mining rewards shareholders

Harare (New Ziana) – Caledonia Mining Corporation continues to rise above the current economic challenges affecting Zimbabwe, declaring a 9.1 percent dividend increase in the 4th quarter of 2019 and remaining on course to commission a multi-million dollar expansion project by the end of this year.

An inflationary environment and power shortages among other challenges have affected operational efficiencies of most local firms.

But, Caledonia, which operates the Blanket gold mine in Gwanda, continues to post impressive production results and on Friday declared an increased quarterly dividend of seven-and-a-half United States cents (US$0.075) on each of the company’s common shares up from 6.875 cents.

The company is also expecting to commission a new $18 million central shaft this year to increase gold output to 80 000 ounces per annum by 2022.

Caledonia chief executive officer, Steve Curtis said the new dividend was a direct result of increased production and firm gold prices.

He said the improvement in the dividend was also a reflection of the firm’s increased confidence in its business.

“I am pleased to announce a 9.1 per cent increase in the dividend which reflects our increased confidence in the outlook for our business. As we reported in mid-November 2019 when we published the results for the third quarter of 2019, our financial performance has improved due to increased production and the continued higher gold price. This improvement has continued through the final quarter of 2019,” he said.

“As we approach the end of the five-year investment programme at Blanket Mine, we anticipate the rate of capital expenditure will begin to reduce from the middle of 2020, which gives us greater flexibility to consider deploying some of our cash reserves on an increased dividend.”

Curtis said operational efficiencies and increased production arising from the new shaft were expected to yield further improved cash flows.

“The Board will review Caledonia’s future dividend distributions as appropriate while considering the balance between delivering returns to shareholders, pursuing the significant growth opportunities within Zimbabwe and maintaining a prudent approach to financial management,” he said.

Blanket Mine plans to increase production from 54 511 ounces of gold in 2018 to approximately 75 000 ounces in 2021 and 80 000 ounces in 2022.

For 2019, the mine was targeting to produce between 50 000 and 53 000 ounces of gold.

Government is targeting gold production of 100 tons and earnings of US$4 billion per annum to anchor the attainment of a US$12 billion local mining industry by 2023.
New Ziana

Dexter Nduna, Police boss in court for illegal gold mining

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Dexter Nduna, Police boss in court for illegal gold mining

  • MP charged for prospection without a license

  • MP Charged for criminal abuse of office

  • Remanded to January 21

  • Accused MP in contravention of the Mines and Minerals Act

Chegutu Member of Parliament and Zanu PF legislator Dexter Nduna, the party’s Mashonaland West provincial youth chairman Vengai Musengi and Police acting officer commanding Chegutu District Superintendent Wonder Chisikwa have been arraigned before the courts for illegal mining.

The accused allegedly illegally extracted gold ore at the David Whitehead waste deposit site in Chegutu, a day before a machete gang’ leader Taurai Mutandwa was shot dead by police.

Chegutu Rural District Council chairman Tatenda Gwinji was also named among officials who illegally extracted the gold ore.

Nduna, Musengi, Chisikwa and Gwinji yesterday appeared at Chegutu Magistrates’ Court facing charges of prospecting for gold without a license.

Musengi, Chisikwa and Gwinji were jointly charged with Tawanda Marufu and Nyasha Nyikadzino and remanded on their own recognisance out of custody to January 24, when they appeared before Chegutu magistrate Ms Judith Taruvinga.

Nduna and Chisikwa were separately charged for abuse of office and were remanded to January 21.

It is alleged that on November 13 last year, the seven unlawfully and intentionally prospected for mineral ore near David Whitehead without a license, in contravention of the Mines and Minerals Act.

On November 12, Nduna, Chisikwa, Musengi, and Gwinji reportedly met at ZRP Chegutu District Headquarters and hatched a plan to extract gold ore from David Whitehead.

They agreed to look for an excavator to extract the mineral and Gwinji opted to approach Chegutu RDC.

Nduna allegedly decided to hire a JCB excavator from Yellow Metal Tours in Kadoma and paid US$495 through Marufu.

Chisikwa ordered police officers who were guarding the site not to interfere with the excavator before the accused extracted the ore which they loaded into trucks. They were summoned to court on Monday, following police investigations. Prosecutor Tarisai Mutarisi represented the State.

Recently Member of Parliament for Norton Constituency Hon Temba Mliswa accused  Nduna, Mashwest Head of Police and unmentioned politicians of being behind the surge of Machete gangs also known by another monicker “MaShurugwi”. President Mnangagwa also tasked Nduna to act on violence in engulfing the ASM leading to speculations the former indirectly accused the latter of being the ower behind violent gangs.

Machete gang storms Police station – gang member shot, dies

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Machete gang storms Police station – gang member shot, dies

National Police Spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi revealed on Sunday that they shot and killed a member of a machete gang known as Mashurugwi or Al Shabab in Bulawayo after they freed their colleague from custody by force in Matebeleland.

The development was revealed yesterday by police national spokesperson, who confirmed:

“There was an incident in Mphoengs (in Matabeleland South) on January 3, where a machete-wielding gang teamed up with some unruly elements to free a robbery, unlawful entry and theft suspect, Nkosana Moyo, from police custody.

“The gang attacked police officers and injured one in the process. During the scuffle, police fired some shots, resulting in one suspect aged 35 being shot and passing on at a local hospital.

“The released suspect, Nkosana Moyo, only handed himself over to the police on Saturday while still in police handcuffs.”

The development comes when calls to deal with the machete gangs in the country have intensified in the recent past.

The machete gangs have been terrorising miners and members of the public across the country, particularly in gold mining towns.

DAILY NEWS

Prosecutors ordered to go hard on Machete criminals

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Prosecutors ordered to go hard on Machete criminals

The National Director of Public Prosecution Mr Uladi early this year in a memo sent to all provincial heads ordered all prosecutors to fight for custodian sentences on all cases involving the use of Machetes.

Rudairo Mapuranga

The National Director according to the memo said that the move was carried out due to the rising of machete crimes especially among the small scale and artisanal mining sector.

He said that it was of importance for prosecutors to oppose bail and request for custodian sentences on these machete-wielding criminals.

“We have noted with concern the upsurge the number of cases of violence involving the use of machete especially by illegal artisanal miners.”

” In a bid to stamp out the scourge, you are hereby directed to oppose bail and to request for custodian sentences in the event of any conviction in all such cases. Be guided accordingly” he said.

Police shoot and kill machete panner

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Police shoot and kill machete panner

MACHETE-WIELDING gold panners in Inyati area in Matabeleland North clashed with the police, leading to one of them being shot dead while five others were arrested on Sunday.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident.

The stubborn gold panners reportedly charged at the armed police officers wielding machetes and axes with the intention of attacking the law enforcement agents deployed to stop rampant illegal mining activities at Acuutes Farm.

The five illegal miners who were arrested were identified as

Prince Ngwenya (37) of Silobela, Cosmos Ndlovu (34) of Nkayi, Clever Ntakhana (39), Nhlanhla Ncube (34) and Orderly Nzombane (43) all of Inyati area in Bubi District.

Nyathi said the police recovered an okapi knife from the illegal miner who was shot dead but did not identify the deceased for ethical reasons.

However, sources said the panner who was shot dead was identified as Alpha Mabhena (23) of Mbangwa village in Nkayi.

Nyathi said the owner of the farm where the illegal mining activities were taking place, who was identified only as Tshabangu, made a police report.

He said weapons such as axes, shovels, machetes, iron chisels and knobkerries were also recovered at the scene.

“Police will not tolerate acts of violence especially targeted at those who are on duty and action will be taken against any gangs which are going around attacking people, including those at mines,” Nyathi said.

According to a police memorandum on January 5, a team of eight officers, led by Sergeant Matekenya, was deployed at Acuutes Farm to curb gold panning activities.

“At around 4pm, the illegal miners, who were armed with machetes and axes, started charging towards the armed police officers. Constable Mandindo, who was armed with an FN rifle, fired six warning shots in the air after seeing that the mob was advancing at them,” read the memo.

“The warning shots could not deter the mob as it continued to charge towards the police officers and eventually Mandindo shot Mabhena once on the left shoulder. He was armed with an axe and a knobkerrie and he died on the spot.”

The memo states that police managed to apprehend five other panners.

ZRP names Kadoma Cop killers

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ZRP names Kadoma Cop killers

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi has confirmed the names of those arrested in connection with the murder of Constable Wonder Hokoyo.

These are;

Tonderai Musasa (18),

Richwell Tshuma (26),

Bornlight Mukute (20),

Paul Demo (27),

Taurai Munetsi (31) and a minor aged 14.

Earlier, police had arrested Munyaradzi Chari (43), Lyton Panashe Tshuma (18) and Obvious Mawire (21), bringing the total number to nine.

The killing of Constable Hokoyo has caused outrage with the public accusing the government of not effectively dealing with the situation. Many are of the notion that the problem will not be solved anytime soon as powerful people are behind the machete gangs.

Junior Police officers seem to be aware of the gang’s connections and are afraid of taking action, echoing the sentiments by Minister Ziyambi that the gangs are arrested the next minute they are released. This makes the deployed officers vulnerable to attacks which may explain the hesitant behavior by Hokoyo and team.

 

Prospect optimistic of being the largest ultra-low iron petalite producer

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Prospect optimistic of being the largest ultra-low iron petalite producer

African lithium company, Prospect Resources Ltd is pleased to announce that following on from the announcement released on the 4 November 2019, it’s ultra-low iron petalite product has progressed through the secondary qualification process with one of the world’s largest glass-ceramic manufacturers, based in Europe.

Prospect provided the manufacturer with a sample for larger-scale laboratory testing and analysis. The outcome from their analysis is that the ultra-low iron petalite surpasses the glass-ceramic market’s stringent ultra-low iron and alkali technical specifications.

To pass the final step in the product qualification process, Prospect’s ultra-low iron petalite product needs a full test in the production kiln. This is expected to be undertaken in 2020, once the pilot plant is constructed and larger volume of product is available.

Prospect is also in discussions with an additional industry leading glass ceramic producer based in Europe with a view to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MoU”), where both parties seek to develop a commercial relationship.

Prospect is currently engaging with glass and ceramics customers across Europe, Asia and Africa who collectively, consume over 130,000 tpa equivalent of ultra-low iron petalite. Prospect’s ability to consistently produce approx. 100,000tpa of ultra-low iron petalite product, over its 15.5 year Life-of-Mine, is a key attraction from customers1

Prospect anticipates being one of only two mines in the world capable of producing ultra low iron petalite and we expect to be the largest player in this natural oligopoly – none of which are based in Australia. Demand for Prospect’s ultra low iron petalite is expected to be spread equally between Europe and Asia, with a considerable supply deficit for the foreseeable future.

Illegal miners drown running from Eureka gold mine guards

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Illegal miners drown running from Eureka gold mine guards

Two Guruve artisanal miners drowned in Dande River while running away from security guards chasing them at Eureka Gold Mine.

Mashonaland Central provincial police spokesperson Inspector Milton Mundembe confirmed the incident which claimed the lives of Learnmore Muroiwa and Moses Thomas.

“We urge our citizens to respect the rule of law and we discourage artisanal miners to go to other premises for mining,” he said.

“They should prospect their own mines and gain necessary paperwork from the ministry.

“As police, we will not tolerate cases of theft or violence by artisanal miners and we will make sure that the law has been applied successfully.”

Blanket Mine Introduces Monthly & Quarterly Bonuses For Workers

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Blanket Mine Introduces Monthly & Quarterly Bonuses For Workers

Caledonia Plc’s Blanket Mine has introduced monthly and quarterly bonuses for its employees in a bid to boost morale and increase production.

In its management discussion and analysis of the consolidated operating and financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2019, the subsidiary of the Caledonia Mining Corporation (Caledonia) said:

The company used to award its employees production bonuses annually based on the performance of the entire mine.

The company noted that the improved morale contributed to improved daily production tonnage in the latter part of the quarter (third quarter of 2019), continuing into October and November (2019).

The Standard

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