Use of a hammermill without commissioning is illegal
A Hammermill can only be used after commissioning, a Ministry of Mines and Mining Development official has said.
Responding to a question from the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development Legislators on why ASMs were being harassed by the Police for their hammermills, Bulawayo Provincial Mining Director Mr Farayi Ngulube said the portability of Hammermills has had miners breaching an SI that requires that processing plant should be commissioned before use.
“The only problem with a Hammermill is its quite handy, its portable, it can be installed and uninstalled in a short space of time even in a confined area. So it is in breach of a statutory instrument that requires that a processing plant should be commissioned before use. So that’s the only problem… The law says it should only be used after commissioning in accordance with the site of works plan. So those procedures are not being followed because the hammermill can be moved at a whim so that’s the complication. But the covers hammermills like any other processing equipment,” Ngulube articulated.
The Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development is currently holding Capacity Building Workshop on the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill for the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development and has announced dates for public consultations that commence next week.
The Edmond Mkaratigwa-led committee will embark on two-week working visits across mining areas as the country looks to make history furthermore enact a new bill that will fully represent the needs of the mining community.
In an interview with Mining Zimbabwe, Hon Mkaratigwa said there were no limitations to any interested parties.
“We hope by this pronouncement we are going to see a lot of stakeholders attending, and we have no limitations. Everyone who is interested or have views they want to contribute or are affected by mining in one way or another is welcome to attend,” Mkaratigwa said.