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Blanket Mine donates to Covid-19 fight

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Blanket Mine donates to Covid-19 fight

Blanket Mine has made a monetary donation to the Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe to support Zimbabwe’s COVID 19 pandemic response. We urge all residents of Zimbabwe to do what they can to limit the spread of this disease. We are all in this together.

More to follow

DEADLINE FOR PARTIAL EXEMPTIONS APPLICATIONS -COVID 19 IS TODAY

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DEADLINE FOR PARTIAL EXEMPTIONS APPLICATIONS -COVID 19 IS TODAY

Notice is hereby given that deadline for applications for partial exemptions from some of the provisions of statutory instrument 83 of 2020 (Public Health) (Covid -19) Prevention containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order 2020 is today the 1st of April 2020 by 1700 hrs. Please be advised that No applications will be processed thereafter. We advise also for any client to liaise with the administration officers before any payment is made to the ZMF Bank account.

Full document below

Memo 7- Applications for partial exemptions

Stop all mining operations

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Stop all mining operations

THE Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (Zdamwu) has called upon the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe (CoMZ) and all mine workers to immediately stop going to work for the next 30 days in order to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The call by Zdamwu follows the gazetting of a 21-day lockdown decree by government to minimise the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

“While we appreciate some of the efforts that are being put by government to prevent the spread of the virus, we believe that these are not enough if mines continue business as usual, thus our call for Chamber of Mines to take the next decisive act of shutting down all mines across the country,” read a letter signed by the union’s general secretary Justice Chinhema.

“This should be supported with an assurance that workers will not lose their wages, leave, and other benefits due to this pandemic. Individual mines are encouraged to prioritise dialogue and consultation and through works council on how to make sure essential services that should be manned by a workforce that is well protected and motivated.”

However, CoMZ revealed in its report that that mineral production for the second quarter of 2020 may decline by about 60% compared to the first quarter, with revenue losses exceeding US$400 million due to COVID-19 effects.

It said the revenue loss for the first 30 days arising from a total lockdown exceeds US$200 million, with estimated loss for gold and platinum of about US$160 million.

Potential revenue loss for nickel, ferrochrome, coal, and diamonds for the second quarter of 2020 is estimated to exceed US$100 million, it said.

“While we are aware that other countries have put in place measures to compensate workers for the loss of incomes, we call upon our employers to be empathetic to their employees and provide the necessary social security safety nets as a matter of urgency since the disruptions to production have been occasioned by a superior force beyond anyone’s control,” Chinhema said.

“Employers should also act responsibly and refrain from taking advantage of this situation to deduct workers annual leave days. Good employers should lead by example and prioritise their employees’ safety at this critical juncture by closing mines while monitoring the situation.”

Newsday

Zimbabwe pays off Eskom bill

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Zimbabwe pays off Eskom bill

Minister of Energy and Power Development Fortune Chasi has confirmed that Zimbabwe has paid off its $33 million debt it owed to South Africa’s Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd.

The Firebrand Minister said, “Zimbabwe will now have to re-engage the giant South African Power utility – Eskom for additional power supplies and focus attention on settling the debt with Mozambique”

Positive messages on vastly improved power supplies since last week have been directed towards the Minister who no doubt is The leading government official on engagement with the Zimbabweans he serves. Most government officials shun social media but in these modern times, it is a tool that gives leaders first-hand information directly from the consumers. Chasi is highly interactive and responds to as many complaints as possible something his counterparts in the Mines Ministry will be applauded for should they follow suit.

Recently there was an outcry from ASM on lack of engagement from the MMCZ and Mines & Mining Development Ministry, Chasi can be a shining example of how these two departments can improve on the PR front.

 

 

 

 

 

Chamisa not legitimate President of MDC – Court

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Chamisa not legitimate President of MDC – Court

Supreme Court has declared that Chamisa is not the legitimate President of MDC Zimbabwe.

The dismissal of the appeal must reinstate Dr Khupe as the proper leader of the Movement for Democratic Change and the opposition party will go back and start from February 15, 2018.

See live report below

https://www.facebook.com/openparlyzw/videos/224706138642118/

Miner’s body retrieved after a week underground

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Miner’s body retrieved after a week underground

In an unfortunate incident, the body of an artisanal miner who was trapped in a gold mine shaft in Penhalonga was finally retrieved after spending a week underground.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Tavhiringwa Kakohwa said Panashe Dube, 22, had been in the company of his colleagues, Grey Dube, 46, and Tapiwa Dube, 20, when tragedy struck.

“The horrific accident occurred on Sunday last week. Dube went down the shaft. While he was down the shaft, it collapsed and trapped him,” the police spokesperson said.

Grey Dube rushed and reported the incident to the police who attended the scene in the company of Redwing Mine rescue team.

Kakohwa said attempts to retrieve Dube’s body failed at the time.

“The body was retrieved after a week of searching and post-mortem was conducted. However, no foul play was suspected,” said Kakohwa.

He said safety measures must always be taken before any mining activities are carried out.

“Miners should inspect their mines and make sure that safety precautionary measures are observed,” said Kakohwa.

NewZimbabwe

Fidelity boss sheds light on operations during lock-down

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Fidelity boss sheds light on operations during lock-down

Fidelity Printers and Refiners (FPR) General Manager Mr. Fradreck Kunaka has shed some light on the operations of FPR until the end of the stipulated Zimbabwe lock-down announced by President Mnangagwa.

Zimbabwe like most countries affected with the Covid-19 Virus imposed a 21day lock-down that began today Monday the 30th March 2020. Mining Zimbabwe spoke to the man at the helm of the country’s sole buyer who shed some light on the state institution’s operations for the duration of the lock-down.

Mr Kunaka said, “In line with the need for proactiveness and Government Directives, in working towards minimising the impact of COVID 19 on employees and those we are in contact with, as from March 30 to April 30, 2020, FPR has reviewed business working hours as follows from, Monday to Friday we open at 0900hrs to 1515hrs. All employees whose duties can be performed from home have stopped coming to work. Those not feeling well do not report for work”.

Kunaka also emphasised the importance of spending less time in FPR branches and social distancing saying,”It is imperative that when visiting offices or any of our branches, one should not stay for more than 10 minutes and also to try and maintain the social distance of 2 metres. We are also providing sanitisers to visitors and providing masks for those who will be getting into confined places where maintaining the social distance is not possible”.

When asked if the Sole buyer had shelved any events Kunaka said, “FPR has not cancelled any events for now but has put in place measures to manage gatherings in line with the Government directives. These include restricting the numbers entering the buying offices at any one time in addition to those covered under”.

Mining has now been exempted from the shutdown after ZMF President’s application to have the sector listed as an essential service whose operations require continuous processes may operate with the minimum staff required for the care and maintenances of its operations as stipulated in the SI. Any miner/company willing to continue with operations during this 21 Days lockdown should read this document HERE

About Fidelity Printers and Refiners

FPR is the largest security, commercial printing company, sole gold buyer, refiner and exporter of gold in Zimbabwe.

FPR can be contacted on

Harare
Address:No. 1 George Drive, Msasa, Harare
Phone: +263 242-486670, +263 242-486694, +263 242-487131, +263 242-447810-5

 

THE NATIONAL 21 DAYS LOCKDOWN REPRIEVE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

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THE NATIONAL 21 DAYS LOCKDOWN REPRIEVE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

An application that had been made by the President of The Zimbabwe Miners Federation to The Minister of Mines and Mining Development Honourable Winston Chitando that miners get a reprieve and get a waiver as a critical sector to continue operations during the National 21 Days Lockdown in terms of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order, 2020 has been successful.

ZMF argued that Mining is an essential service whose operations require continuous processes may operate
with the minimum staff required for the care and maintenances of its operations as stipulated in the SI.

The Minister responded by giving a press statement dated 29 March 2020 which said

“Mining operations which face implementation challenges are requested to apply for a partial exemption to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development through the Chamber of Mines and Zimbabwe Miners Federation. The applications should indicate clearly the nature and modus of operation during the lockdown period and the measures which will be taken to safeguard employees and other stakeholders from the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus. Once the application is lodged with the Chamber of Mines or Zimbabwe Miners Federation, the mining company in question may be allowed to continue operating pending a response from Government. “

Any miner/company therefore willing to continue with operations during this 21 Days lockdown is expected to write a letter from your company addressed to ;

The Chief Executive Officer
Zimbabwe Miners Federation
No 80 Mutare Road
SWK House
Msasa
Harare

Email: [email protected]
The application should give un undertaking as to ;

1. What steps you will be taking to ensure that you comply or observe the fight against Coronavirus and the guidelines given by Government.
2. An overview of your operations
3. When you started operation
4. Deliveries to FPR last 12 months
5. Employment profile
6. Location
7. Nearest Police station
8. Distance of mine from houses
9. Use of public road to work
10. State whether underground or open cast mining operations

11. Attach ZMF Membership number

FULL DOCUMENT HERE

President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced that Zimbabwe will shut down for 21days from Monday the 30th of March 2020 as the country joins the rest of the world in trying to minimise transmission of the deadly Coronavirus that has claimed thousands of lives globally since its outbreak.

Covid-19/ Coronavirus, Transmission

For COVID-19, each person with the virus can go on to infect around 2.5 people. If each of those people go about their day as normal, and infect another 2.5 people, within a month, 406 people would be infected just from that first infection. Thousands of people with either no symptoms or very mild symptoms have been spreading the virus unaware that they were even infected. This means that before health experts were aware of the problem and started to recommend control measures, the virus had already spread to multiple countries.

 

BREAKING: Miners given reprieve as critical sector, apply now

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BREAKING: Miners given reprieve as critical sector, apply now

President of The Zimbabwe Miners Federation Ms Henrietta Rushwaya applied to The Minister of Mines and Mining Development Honourable Winston Chitando that miners get a reprieve and get a waiver as a critical sector to continue operations during the National 21 Days Lockdown in terms of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 Public Health (Covid-19 Prevention, Containment and Treatment) (National Lockdown) Order, 2020.

The Applications was successful. Full article to follow shortly

De Beers cancels third diamond sight due Covid-19 travel restrictions

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De Beers cancels third diamond sight due Covid-19 travel restrictions

DE BEERS has cancelled its third sight for the 2020 financial year owing to travel restrictions placed on buyers as a result of COVID-19.

Anglo American, which owns 85% of De Beers, said in an announcement that sightholders would be able to defer all of their third sight allocations to later in the year. It would “… continue to seek innovative ways to meet sightholders’ rough diamond supply needs in the coming weeks,” it said.

The travel restrictions are “… on the movement of people and products in Botswana, South Africa, and India, which prohibit customers from traveling and prevent the shipment of goods to customers’ international operations,” Anglo said.

Cancelling the third sight for this year is hardly a surprise given the way governments have ratcheted up their efforts to contain the spread of the virus in the last week, including a decision by the South African government to embark on a 21-day near total shutdown from March 27. De Beers had initially intended holding its sight however.

The COVID-19 outbreak has come at a terrible time for the diamond industry following poor trading conditions in 2019. De Beers made its smallest profit in more than a decade last year after a glut of rough and polished stones destroyed margins for the industry’s crucial middlemen who cut, polish and trade them, said Bloomberg News.

Early evidence that 2020 diamond sales were off to a poor start owing to travel interruptions was provided by GEM Diamonds which said on March 19 that it had replaced a tender for its large diamonds with a “flexible direct sale process” in mitigation of travel bans on buyers.

Last week Petra Diamonds brought forward the closure of its fifth sales tenders in South Africa and Antwerp three days earlier than the planned March 26. It also found “depressed and opportunistic” bidding for its goods, particularly in the larger size and higher quality, greater categories.

Gemfields said on March 24 that it could not provide a forecast for its financial performance in the current financial year as COVID-19 related travel restrictions prevented auctions of rubies and emeralds from taking place.

“Due to the current global travel restrictions the company cannot be certain when or if the ruby and emerald auctions scheduled for the coming months will take place,” it said in notes to a trading statement which showed a strong recovery for its 2019 financial year.

Mining MX
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