Story by Courage Bushe
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has launched the inaugural artisanal and small-scale Miners Mechanisation Programme in Zvishavane, which has seen youths and women in mining receiving equipment.
With the country targeting more than 40 tonnes of gold this year, artisanal and small-scale miners in the Midlands Province have vowed to contribute to the target after they received mining equipment from the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) under its artisanal and small-scale miners mechanisation programme.
“We want to thank the Zimbabwe Miners Federation Association for giving us youths an opportunity to play a key role in contributing to the country’s growth through mining. This is a good initiative, and we are confident that it will boost gold production across our 8 mining districts,” said a miner.
Another said, “As you know small-scale miners contribute 60 per cent of the country’s gold output. Hence, this empowerment programme will play a key role in achieving Vision 2030.”
The programme, which will see youths and women in eight mining provinces benefiting, is also expected to play a significant role in boosting productivity and production in the mining sector.
“This is a very important program for the ZMF family. With the mechanization and symposium launch supported by a company like William Bains, miners are going to increase production and help boost our economy,” said the vice president of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation Mr Marufu Sithole.
Zvishavane District Development Co-coordinator, Mr Darlington Chokera said “This is a good initiative and we thank the ZMF for coming up with this initiative. I’m sure that the programme will play a key role in ore recovery and safe mining. The working conditions will also be improved. Mechanization will also increase exploration as miners.”
The programme is expected to drive the country’s mining economy in line with the Second Republic’s Vision 2030.
