Small-scale gold miners have implored Government to support them to enhance productive capacity to ensure optimal use of the vast claims they hold.
The Gold Miners Association of Zimbabwe has since written to President Mugabe, Vice President Mujuru and the Minister of Finance Tendai Biti explaining the constraints they were facing in their operations.
GMAZ, which has a membership of 3 000 miners across the country, has also lodged correspondence with the Ministry of Economic Planning and Investment Promotion and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
The small miners said they had capacity to produce about 1,2 tonnes of gold every month if supported with adequate financial resources and equipment.
GMAZ said despite owning 65 percent of known gold claims small miners contributed the least to gold output due to constrained mining capacity.
The miners' association cited lack of working capital, specialist equipment, technical expertise, professionalism and poor financial management skills among a host of actors militating against their operations.
GMAZ if capacitated each miner could deliver 400 grammes per month. To optimise productivity among small miners GMAZ president Mr Morgan Magawu said they required support from Government and other stakeholders.
"What small scale miners lack in resources they make up in their strong desire to conduct mining operations under harsh conditions and yet still be able to contribute to the country's gold reserves. We have a mission to improve the mining standards of small-scale miners in order to enhance gold deliveries and raise the standard of living of miners," said Mr Mugawu.
He said small miners needed support in areas of resource mobilisation, acquiring appropriate technology, good relations with Government and regulatory authorities, promotion of cordial relations among gold miners and links to the international community to enhance gold output.
The GMAZ boss said, as was the norm across the world, the mining cycle started with small-scale mining evolving to large-scale operations over time.
"The conversion rate in Zimbabwe is however, non-existent and this has impacted negatively on the country's gold reserves which could otherwise be enhanced if small miners are given necessary support," he said.
Large-scale miners have a better capital base and options to secure finding, which enables them to enhance productivity through sophisticated equipment whereas small miners rely on simple hand tools.
Mr Magawu said small-scale miners were also prepared to enter into partnerships with external investors with resources to fund mine mechanisation, milling plans and working capital to enhance their productivity.
GMAZ, which had become inactive over the last few years due to difficult economic conditions, is now seeking to ensure active involvement of small miners in gold production through optimal use of claims.
Considering large-scale miners require an estimated US$1,2 billion to recapitalise operations after a decade of economic instability small miners are the worst affected as their fund raising capacity is very limited.
National gold output is this year projected at 8 000 kilogrammes and the bulk of that would definitely come from better resources bid miners.
written by barrock mines , October 10, 2011
written by asajile abraham , November 18, 2011
Thanks,
