ZimAlloys Introduces Third-Party Lumpy Consolidation Program, Aims to Empower Artisanal Miners
Kuvimba Mining House (KMH)-owned Zimbabwe Alloys (ZimAlloys) continues to strengthen its position as a key player in the ferrochrome industry by launching a third-party lumpy consolidation program that seeks to integrate and empower small-scale and artisanal miners, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
ZimAlloys Managing Director, Deric Dube, has emphasized the importance of collaboration with artisanal miners as a critical component of the company’s operations. The third-party lumpy consolidation program is designed to support small-scale miners by ensuring they receive fair returns for their contributions, while also helping ZimAlloys sustain its production targets.
“We actually try to coexist with our artisanal miners. There isn’t a single operation in Zimbabwe, whether in gold, chrome, lithium, or any other mineral, that doesn’t have an artisanal mining footprint. Instead of fighting that community, there is a method to engage them and ensure maximum benefit for both parties,” Dube said.
He further explained that the program allows ZimAlloys to aggregate production from smaller mining operations, consolidating material into larger volumes that contribute significantly to the company’s output.
“One of the initiatives my executive assistant runs is called the third-party lumpy consolidation programme, which supports small-scale miners. It ensures they receive profitable returns for their hard-earned work, allowing them to sustain their livelihoods. The importance of their existence comes from the fact that most of them probably operate on third-party private claims,” Dube added.
The third-party lumpy consolidation program not only fosters cooperation between ZimAlloys and artisanal miners but also helps bridge the gap between large-scale operations and smaller mining ventures. Artisanal miners, according to Dube, play a pivotal role by meeting specific production quotas, contributing approximately 20 percent of ZimAlloys’ monthly production.
“Small-scale miners primarily seek rapid cash flows and immediate payment for their material. Handling 200 to 300 tonnes is already a significant task for them. However, they create the critical mass required for us to maintain our daily operations. By consolidating 15 to 20 of their operations, providing 200 tonnes per month each, we can gather 1,500 to 3,000 tonnes per month, empowering that community to become self-sustaining,” Dube explained.
ZimAlloys’ third-party lumpy consolidation program is expected to strengthen ties with artisanal miners and improve overall production efficiency, making it a key aspect of the company’s long-term strategy in the ferrochrome sector.