The Young Miners Foundation (YMF) has partnered with the South African Mining Youth Association (SAMYA) to provide young miners in both Zimbabwe and South Africa with opportunities for growth and development in the mining sector.
By Ryan Chigoche
This strategic collaboration is designed to address the unique challenges faced by young miners in both countries, particularly focusing on access to capital and mining rights, and fostering entrepreneurship.
In Zimbabwe, young miners benefit from unique access to mining rights, positioning them to tap into the country’s rich mineral resources. However, many struggle to get started or expand operations due to a lack of capital.
In contrast, young miners in South Africa face significant challenges. While there is a strong interest in small-scale mining, it is often criminalized due to the lack of a clear legal framework.
In response to this, YMF CEO Payne Kupfuwa sees the partnership with SAMYA as a crucial opportunity for young miners from both countries to grow.
Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe, Kupfuwa highlighted the strategic advantage the partnership provides, as Zimbabwe’s young miners can gain access to capital, consumables, and mining expertise, all of which will drive efficiency and growth in mining operations.
“We look forward to evolving from small-scale mining to becoming entry-level junior miners as we grow. This partnership will initiate developmental programs that will help us establish larger mining houses in Zimbabwe. SAMYA will bring in the necessary resources to boost productivity in mining operations. Meanwhile, in Zimbabwe, we have access to mining rights as young people, making this partnership a perfect match that will help us build a more sustainable and developmental mining sector,” Kupfuwa said.
Commenting on the partnership, SAMYA Secretary Vumile Mbonani echoed the same sentiments, telling Mining Zimbabwe:
“The partnership between YMF and SAMYA will create valuable opportunities for young miners through exchange programs that foster business development, entrepreneurship, and collaboration… Together, we can amplify our collective voice and create more opportunities for youth in the mining sector across the continent,” he said.
By joining forces, the two organizations aim to create a platform for young miners to transition from small-scale mining operations to junior miners, fostering both economic growth and sustainable mining practices in the process.
In addition to providing mentorship and resources, the partnership seeks to facilitate cross-border cooperation, leveraging Zimbabwe’s access to mining rights and SAMYA’s support for young miners in South Africa to create a robust ecosystem for mining entrepreneurship across the continent.
