Story by Courage Bushe
THE government has commissioned a US$1.2 million gold milling plant in Zvishavane, a move expected to boost gold production, create jobs, and contribute to national development.
Aligned with the Second Republic’s commitment to inclusive development, Sabi Gold Mine has established the milling facility to support local artisanal miners and enhance their participation in the country’s gold sector.
Receiving the empowerment project, artisanal miners said the plant will play a significant role in changing livelihoods.
“We want to thank Sabi Gold Mine for giving us an opportunity to showcase our ability in the mining sector. We will help to improve the GDP of Zvishavane. This is a welcome development for the community,” a miner said.
“The private-public sector partnership is bearing fruit, especially for this community, because this is the first of its kind, and we are really humbled and grateful. We will make sure that this thing will be safeguarded for posterity,” a community member said.
“We appreciate this as artisanal miners. It is going to transform the way we used to operate,” an artisanal miner said.
The donation will ensure artisanal miners in the district realise their mining potential and ability to contribute to the growth of the sector.
“We came up with this initiative so that youths and women can participate in the mainstream economy through mining activities. We believe in giving a man the rod rather than giving him fish. We are here to empower our youths so that we achieve our President’s vision of a mining economy,” Board Chairperson Sabi Gold mine, Mr Oliver Mtasa said.
The government has commended the public-private partnership, highlighting its potential to drive economic growth and development.
“This venture is a demonstration of the confidence that investors have in the Second Republic’s Engagement and Re-engagement programme. We are confident that going forward, this will improve livelihoods for our youths and women at large,” Zvishavane-Runde Constituency Legislator, Honourable Freddy Moyo said.
“Given that our mineral resources are finite, it is necessary for mining companies in Zimbabwe to leave a positive legacy for communities even when the mine has exhausted its lifespan. As you may be aware, the mining sector is anticipated to play a pivotal role in the attainment of the country’s vision of being an Upper Middle-class economy by 2030, and these are significant strides in achieving that feat,” Midlands Minister of State for Provincial affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube said.
The initiative shows motivation and commitment by investors to take up opportunities being provided by the Second Republic in its quest to attain an upper-middle-class income society by 2030.
