Stakeholders ready to grace ZMF AGM
Stakeholders in the mining industry are ready to attend Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) annual general meeting (AGM) with a number expressing their excitement to join one of the biggest mining gatherings in the country.
Rudairo Mapuranga
The AGM which aims to discuss the policies affecting ASM operations and assess the implications on the growth of mining is running under the theme, “Responsible mining: A catalyst for sustainable development.”
Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe Credsure Business Development Manager Health and Safety Paymore Mwale said his company was ready to support the growth and development of the artisanal and small-scale mining industry by providing financial solutions that will see the industry becoming a cash cow for the country.
“We have a partnership with ZMF, we have an MOU, the main reason is to improve the health and Safety of the small-scale miners. We are looking forward to the AGM and hoping it will address the issues we want to offer a solution to. We are here to improve the livelihoods of small-scale miners, we want them to employ financial models that will sustain them even after the life of mine,” Mwale said.
According to ZMF CEO Wellington Takavarasha Speakers at the AGM are going to address the concerns of the ASM industry, “Speakers are industry leaders and experts that will provide new perspectives on issues and concerns of artisanal and small scale mining sector and share cutting edge content and insight on the mining landscape.”
Speaking to this publication Antimony Miners Association of Zimbabwe (AMAZ) Executive Director Munyaradzi Marwizi said his organization was eagerly and opportunistic that the conference is going to address issues to do with sustainable extraction and value addition and beneficiation of Critical minerals such as Antimony, Graphite, to mention a few.
“We hope for a firm commitment from the conference to develop a critical minerals strategy that will map a way forward for the sustainable extraction and beneficiation of niche mineral commodities such as antimony, tungsten and tantalite. It is our belief that if adequately supported these minor metals essential for the energy transition would significantly contribute to the attainment of the 12 billion mining economy goal by the end of 2023,” Munyaradzi Marwizi said.
Mining Research consultant Mr Lyman Mlambo said the AGM should address issues that have not been solved for a while.
“There are a lot of issues that need to be addressed for example the issue of Formalisation has been there for too long, EPOs and participation of small-scale miners in other sectors such as diamonds. The implications of statutory instruments that seem not to consider small-scale miners among other issues. We would want the AGM to address those issues,” Mlambo said.