NEWSDAY senior reporter Freeman Makopa (ND) sat down with Mashonaland West youth league secretary of Mines, Energy and Development Timothy Masviba (TM) to discuss the province’s mining strategy, the formalisation of artisanal miners, financing challenges and efforts to curb leakages in the sector, as Zimbabwe pushes towards its US$12 billion mining industry target.
ND: What is your provincial mining strategy for Mashonaland West and how does it align with the US$12 billion mining ambition?
TM: As a province or as a party, in terms of contribution to the US$12 billion mark by 2030, what we are doing now is mobilising artisanal miners, as well as medium and large mines, so that they invest in exploration.
For instance, I was having a meeting with Magaya Mining and emphasising exploration.
In order for us to achieve that as a department, we need to make sure that we know what is needed in terms of mining.
Number one, to produce gold that is free from blood, and platinum that is also free from blood.
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These are some of the things that we need to focus on.
After exploration, we are also trying to make sure that people have enough mining equipment to achieve that.
Recently, people were mining using what we call chitokororo, where they would use a chisel to drill a hole for blasting.
So, we are trying to introduce machinery to improve mining tonnage.
This includes mining machines such as large compressors that provide enough compressed air underground.
When you need to drill a hole for blasting, it does not take much time because there is enough air underground, and you have good jackhammers, good bits and other equipment.
In terms of mechanisation, we are now making sure that there is more, better and more efficient machinery to support mining at different levels.
These are some of the things that we are teaching as a department.
Also, miners need to look into other alternatives and explore other areas and minerals that are not currently being mined or processed.
There is, for example, lithium.
The position taken by the minister has been beneficial to us.
These are some of the things we are encouraging among local people.
They also need to have export licences.
They need to apply for them and ensure that they are delivering gold to Fidelity.
The 1% royalties that the government receives are also good for the economy.
So, everything that we are doing is targeted at that.
In a nutshell, these are some of the things we are doing.
ND: What are your targets in terms of the formalisation of artisanal miners? How many are you targeting annually to equip with knowledge?
TM: Based on these initiatives, Mutapa Investment Fund is working to ensure that artisanal miners receive adequate information in terms of mining.
We have a number of targets.
We want to ensure that each and every miner — for instance, a shaft owner — has the necessary knowledge.
Technically, these are not shafts, as a shaft is more than two and a half metres deep.
Their workings are below that, but we still refer to them as shafts.
We are, therefore, trying to ensure that each shaft owner, according to our terminology, has adequate information and undergoes training.
They need to understand important concepts such as housekeeping in a shaft, what housekeeping is, barring down, re-entry and the re-entry period, as well as the differences between these terms.
Our target is to ensure that every artisanal miner who owns a shaft has this knowledge.
These are people who spend a long time underground.
When you open a shaft, you indirectly become part of the mine’s operations.
There are arrangements such as 50-50 or 70-30 sharing agreements.
In many cases, miners benefit not only from milling, but also from mining, sometimes receiving up to 70%.
Indirectly, you become part of the operation, almost like a director, even if you are not formally recognised as such.
So, you need information.
You need proper orientation on how to operate a mine and how to invest wisely, so that the shaft you have opened remains productive.
Our target is to ensure that everyone goes through training and obtains certification.
This includes basic knowledge such as what a shaft is, common terminology and how to understand underground conditions.
There are dangerous gases like carbon monoxide and nitrous fumes.
People need to understand these risks.
Our goal is to ensure that everyone has this information.
ND: How are you addressing the financing gap that keeps small-scale miners outside the formal system?
TM: As you know, success follows order.
There are people who are ready to finance, and many are involved in sponsorship arrangements.
We are teaching miners how to attract financiers.
There are many individuals and companies willing to provide funding, but there is also a perception of risk in mining.
Some believe that if you invest US$1 million, you are not guaranteed to recover it.
Now, it is becoming clearer that with proper systems, you can recover your investment.
So, we are teaching miners how to approach banks.
We are also encouraging them to sell their gold to Fidelity and build relationships with banks such as CBZ and ZB so that they become recognised businesspeople.
Once they understand the fundamentals of running a business, it becomes easier to attract investment.
They can then approach investors like Magaya Mining, who provide compressors, expertise and full mining and milling support on site.
There are also Chinese investors in the country assisting artisanal miners.
Many stakeholders are supporting these miners, including local black mine owners.
ND: How have you been dealing with smuggling or side marketing? Do you have any enforcement measures in place?
TM: Yes, we are engaging the government on the issue of side marketing.
Previously, there were payment structures where miners received part in local currency and part in US dollars, which affected gold deliveries to Fidelity.
However, there has been improvement.
We have engaged the government to ensure 100% payment in US dollars.
There is also decentralisation.
For example, in Chegutu, there is now a Fidelity office.
Previously, people had to queue in Kadoma, but now they can go to Chegutu.
There are also plans for a buying centre in Norton.
This makes it easier for miners to sell to Fidelity.
We are also educating miners on the importance of selling to Fidelity.
For instance, if you want to acquire a firearm, you need proof of sales to Fidelity.
We are also advocating for incentives such as royalties to benefit compliant miners.
At the same time, we emphasise that selling to Fidelity supports the sustainability of the industry.
Licensing has also been simplified, making it easier to obtain.
There is also confidentiality, as workers sign agreements to protect their information.
In terms of pricing, the difference between the black market and Fidelity is sometimes minimal, and in some cases, Fidelity pays better.
Cash availability has also improved, with about 90% availability, and prices are competitive.
ND: How much mining revenue has been generated in Mashonaland West, how much is retained locally, and how is it being used to develop communities?
TM: I do not want to give incorrect figures.
What I can say is that Mashonaland West produces significant output.
There are major PGM [platinum group of metals] producers, lithium operations, small-scale miners and projects like Bravura.
There is clear improvement, and significant revenue is being generated across the sector.
You can see the impact in terms of development — people are buying cars, building houses and investing.
There is a lot happening.
While I cannot provide consolidated figures, it is clear that the sector is generating substantial income.
ND: How are you handling environmental damage and land disputes caused by mining expansion?
TM: Mining does cause environmental damage, such as land degradation, especially during gold rushes.
However, when mining is done professionally, there are measures in place.
We teach miners about rehabilitation and the need to set aside funds for restoring the land and planting trees.
There are also regulations, such as designated routes for transporting materials.
For example, explosives must only be transported along approved routes.
ND: Tell us a bit about yourself.
TM: I am a member of the Zion Christian Church, and I drink Tanganda.