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NewsDay

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Break Fidelity monopoly: Miners

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SMALL-SCALE miners have called on the government to break Fidelity Printers and Refineries’ gold buying monopoly and allow private players to enter the lucrative business and offer competitive prices for the precious mineral.

SMALL-SCALE miners have called on the government to break Fidelity Printers and Refineries’ gold buying monopoly and allow private players to enter the lucrative business and offer competitive prices for the precious mineral.

By Tatenda Chitagu

Speaking at a National Budget consultative meeting in Masvingo yesterday, Zvishavane miner, Lovemore Chipoyi, said breaking the monopoly would incentivise small-scale miners to improve on deliveries and shun side-marketing of gold.

“As miners, we call upon the government to open up licensing for gold buyers, so that two or more companies can rival Fidelity. Fidelity should not be the only buyer of gold,” he said.

“Why not license two or more other companies so that there is competition. Fidelity is abusing its monopoly and if more companies are licensed, more gold will flow from miners and this will curb leakages.”

Another contributor, Isaiah Kwangwa, urged the government to legalise small-scale miners to curb leakages.

“Small-scale miners are handling more gold than conventional miners with licences. I, therefore, think they should be legalised so that they can remit the minerals, especially gold, to Fidelity, rather than to sell it on the parallel market,” he said.

Another resident, Maria Nyambo said it was ironic that the government outlawed small-scale miners, yet the country was reeling under high unemployment levels.

“We have children, who are learned, but they do not have jobs. Let them mine because there are no industries where they can be employed,” she said.

“They are seeking an earnest living. Why ban them when there are no jobs?”