Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has proposed to the mining ministry to assist in the success of achieving the 2023 twelve billion mining industry.

Speaking at the 2021 pre-budget expectations of the mining sector in Zimbabwe held at Crown Plaza, ZMF CEO, Mr. Wellington Takavarasha said ZMF has been engaging with the mines ministry on how they can assist in reaching the twelve billion mining industry by 2023 target.

“We have been meeting with the Mines Ministry proposing ways in which the twelve billion target can be achieved through the cooperation of the ministry with artisanal small-scale miners for most of the gold comes from small scale miners.”

ZMF chairman further added that the ministry must formalise small scale miners for this target to be possible.

“Ministry of Mines needs to be serious with the issue of formalizing miners without licenses for the number of miners with licenses is outnumbered by those without.

“There are over 1.5 million illegal miners whereas a minimum of thirty thousand miners are registered, small artisanal miners must be brought into the game to make this goal achievable, he said.”

Making reference to Zambia and Tanzania mining sector which receive mining grants from their ministry, Takavarashe requested that ZMF be assisted with mining grants to help them capacitate small-scale miners with educational awareness campaigns.

“ZMF needs mining grants just like Federation Mining of Tanzania (FEMATA) to empower small scale miners in contributing to the increase of the country’s revenue through forex.”

The Chairman of the Mines Committee Portfolio, Honorable Mkaratigwa added that the twelve billion budget is possible if all mining sectors come together to cooperate in revenue increase through forex from minerals.

“Mining sectors in the country need to come together so that this goal can be achieved and that the revenue of the country can increase.”