Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
Chrome miners have resolved to formalise operations and conduct business in a sustainable manner following months of clashes with environmental and law enforcement agents.
This emerged at the young miners’ foundation strategic meeting held in Mvurwi on Friday.
Several challenges have been facing young miners after a chrome rush began in February this year in the Mvurwi-Guruve area of Mashonaland Central Province with pleas being made to government to help resolve them.
“As chrome miners here in Mash Central we hope to get government to resolve our challenges, to get work spaces to place our wash plants and to get tribute claims. It seems the current holders of claims along the great dyke are not in institutions that can help us. In addition, the dams we use are far from the great dyke so we want to conduct our operations nearby,” said one of the miners.
“Firstly, we have clashes with the police, then we have clashes with EMA and ZIMASCO so it is our plea that we have papers so that we can operate without these challenges we are facing,” said another.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) urged miners to conduct operations in a legal and sustainable manner , while Mvurwi town council, highlighted chrome mining has made a significant impact on the town’s economy.
‘If chrome washing is not done properly it is a direct threat to the bread basket status of the province. Those washing chrome will need food. if we continue at this rate for the next five years we are seeing rivers running dry.’
In terms of economic activity chrome mining has generated an influx of people into the area as well as a mining boom generating funds circulating into the local economy,” said
Environmental Management Agency Provincial Manager, Robert Rwafa.
Young Miners Foundation Chief Executive Officer Mr. Payne Kupfuwa said a resolution was made to redefine the small-scale chrome mining narrative in a positive manner.
“We keep encouraging young miners to formalise and professionalise. To regularise their operations so that they become relevant in the mining value chain. Council was clear it is ready to engage the young miners in opportunities available in the mine. EMA also highlighted importance on sustainable mining, this will resonate to the upper middle income economy society by 2030,” he explained.
Chrome mining is currently employing over 5 000 young people. Meanwhile young miners from all the country’s ten provinces were honoured for excelling in various areas of the mining industry as the Young miner’s foundation marked 14 years of existence.
Chrome miners resolve to clean up their act
Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
Chrome miners have resolved to formalise operations and conduct business in a sustainable manner following months of clashes with environmental and law enforcement agents.
This emerged at the young miners’ foundation strategic meeting held in Mvurwi on Friday.
Several challenges have been facing young miners after a chrome rush began in February this year in the Mvurwi-Guruve area of Mashonaland Central Province with pleas being made to government to help resolve them.
“As chrome miners here in Mash Central we hope to get government to resolve our challenges, to get work spaces to place our wash plants and to get tribute claims. It seems the current holders of claims along the great dyke are not in institutions that can help us. In addition, the dams we use are far from the great dyke so we want to conduct our operations nearby,” said one of the miners.
“Firstly, we have clashes with the police, then we have clashes with EMA and ZIMASCO so it is our plea that we have papers so that we can operate without these challenges we are facing,” said another.
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) urged miners to conduct operations in a legal and sustainable manner , while Mvurwi town council, highlighted chrome mining has made a significant impact on the town’s economy.
‘If chrome washing is not done properly it is a direct threat to the bread basket status of the province. Those washing chrome will need food. if we continue at this rate for the next five years we are seeing rivers running dry.’
In terms of economic activity chrome mining has generated an influx of people into the area as well as a mining boom generating funds circulating into the local economy,” said
Environmental Management Agency Provincial Manager, Robert Rwafa.
Young Miners Foundation Chief Executive Officer Mr. Payne Kupfuwa said a resolution was made to redefine the small-scale chrome mining narrative in a positive manner.
“We keep encouraging young miners to formalise and professionalise. To regularise their operations so that they become relevant in the mining value chain. Council was clear it is ready to engage the young miners in opportunities available in the mine. EMA also highlighted importance on sustainable mining, this will resonate to the upper middle income economy society by 2030,” he explained.
Chrome mining is currently employing over 5 000 young people. Meanwhile young miners from all the country’s ten provinces were honoured for excelling in various areas of the mining industry as the Young miner’s foundation marked 14 years of existence.
