ZMF in mechanization outreach program to promote formalisation
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) President Ms. Henrietta Rushwaya in an effort to push for the growth and development of artisanal and small-scale mining will do a mining mechanization outreach program for data collection, the organisation CEO Wellington Takavarasha said.
ZMF is targeting Small-scale miners to contribute US$4 billion to the targeted US$12 billion mining economy by 2023, the outreach program is therefore of significance to the achievement of the mark.
Takavarasha said Rushwaya and her team are going to visit at most three mining sites in each province for the data collection.
“President Ms. Henrietta Rushwaya will do a mining mechanization outreach program to all the mining provinces. The purpose of this outreach program is to do an artisanal and small-scale mining needs assessment data collection. Apart from the Know Your Client (KYC) issues, other parameters that will be looked at during the visit include but are not limited to the following
➢ Mine management and records
➢ Statutory compliance
➢ Geological information
➢ Capitalization of the project and expansion capabilities
“The President and her entourage will visit at most 3 mining sites in each province. This will be coordinated by Provincial Council Executive Committees. Full details of the calendar of events for the outreach program will be unveiled in due course.” Takavarasha said.
Earlier this month ZMF CEO Takavarasha said artisanal and small-scale miners have an important role to play towards the realization of the US$12 billion mining economy.
“Statistics of production indicate that the US$12 billion mining economy is being achieved in various mining sectors. US$4 billion has to come from the ASM. Fidelity Printers receipts of small-scale miners indicate that the sector is producing 60 percent of total gold output. The role of ASM is very important. Currently 70 percent of the minerals being mined is gold while 30% constitutes other minerals,” said Takavarasha during an interview.
Takavarasha pointed out that formalisation of the ASM sector is overdue.
“As long as the government is benefiting from the artisanal and small-scale mining sector operations, there is definitely a need to formalize. There have been some engagements at Mines and Finance Ministries and they are going to meet and come up with a Statutory Instrument that legalizes and policies that have a framework for the ASM sector. This has been on the cards,” he said.
Meanwhile, Takavarasha said the Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected the ASM sector.
“Covid-19 has greatly impacted the ASM sector. We have had challenges such as cash shortages. Cash shortages are emanating from the fact that commercial flights that have been coming into the country and the international flights were being restricted. Therefore, this impacted on Fidelity Printers having cash. There were acute shortages at Fidelity Printers and Refineries because of the pandemic,” he said.
Consequently, the situation led to a significant drop in production.