ARTISANAL and small-scale miners in Zimbabwe will use the forthcoming Mining, Engineering and Transport (Mine Entra) 2016 expo to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the sector, an official has said.
BY MTHANDAZO NYONI
The Zimbabwe International Trade Fair company hosts Mine Entra from Wednesday to Friday in Bulawayo under the theme Unearthing Opportunities.
Mine Entra is Zimbabwe’s biggest exhibition for the mining, engineering and transport sectors and their associated industries.
The expo comes as the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector is facing a plethora of challenges, chief among them, unfavourable regulatory requirements and numerous exorbitant fees being demanded by various authorities, which are hindering subsistence miners’ viability in their bid to enhancing gold production.
Speaking to NewsDay, the Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation chief executive officer, Wellington Takavarasha said the ASM was largely a poverty-driven activity and might be the only recourse for people in the collapsing economy.
Takavarasha said ASM directly employs about 500 000 people in Zimbabwe on a full time, seasonal or occasional basis.
“Whether or not the sector is a net contributor to sustainable development, the fact remains that ASM mining activities will continue, for at least, as long as poverty makes them necessary,” he said.
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“It is, therefore, essential to realise the full potential of ASM operations and to maximise the benefits brought by them and harness their production.”
Takavarasha said on Friday, they will host their own conference to run under the theme Unearthing opportunities for the artisanal and small scale mining sector in a sustainable manner.
The main objective of the conference is to ensure that mineral wealth supports sustainable economic and social development of communities and specially improve the living conditions of ASM and their dependents.
Topics to be discussed include the ASM policy formulation, which should be included in the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, the support for the growth of the ASM sector, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe’s ASM policy statement support, Fidelity Printers and Refiners ASM support and ZB Bank payment product, among other topics.
ASM in Zimbabwe has become one of the country’s biggest gold producers, but with minimal government recognition.
Last year, the sector produced 7,4 tonnes out of the 18 tonnes produced countrywide, translating to 40% of total gold production. This showed the significance of ASM sector in contributing to the mainstream economy, Takavarasha said.
ZMF has since set a five-year strategic plan to help develop the sector. The plan, aimed at improving access to resources to artisanal small-scale miners, increased collaboration and co-operation from ASM, long-term sustainability through mechanisation of the ASM sector, promoting alternative livelihood in the communities, stronger linkages of the overall environment and environmental agendas as well as ensure growth, development and empowerment of ASM.
Preparations for the expo are reportedly at an advanced stage, with indications that more than 115 direct exhibitors have confirmed their participation.
According to the organisers, space bookings to date are 3 113m² from a total of 117 direct exhibitors.
Last year, total space booking was 4 612m² from 148 direct exhibitors.
In terms of local participation, 60% of the exhibitors are Harare-based, 35% come from Bulawayo, while the remaining 5% come from other cities within the country.
Of the 117 exhibitors registered so far, four are foreign exhibitors from China and South Africa.
The show will officially be opened by Mines and Mining Development minister Walter Chidakwa on Wednesday, where he is expected to launch a $5 million facility for small-scale miners.
