PLANET GOLD Zimbabwe (PGZ) has launched an initiative to eliminate 4,85 tonnes of mercury from artisanal and small-scale gold mining across eight hotspot sites, including Waterwitch Mine in Bubi, Matabeleland North, as it rolls out programmes for formalisation, finance and mercury-free technology.
The programme was announced on Monday during a media tour at Waterwitch Mine in Bubi, where PGZ outlined plans to visit seven sites still using harmful mercury to process gold.
The sites include Maholokohlo in Filabusi, Will South (Vhovha) in Gwanda, Roxy 25 in Zvishavane, RM Museveni in Bindura, Kuzivakwashe in Mazowe, G Zone in Chegutu and Trafalgar 4X in Kadoma.
PGZ project manager Nyaradzo Mutonhori told journalists that the initiative aims to make Zimbabwe’s artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector safe, clean and sustainable using a four-pronged approach.
“We will assist artisanal and small-scale gold miners to formalise and be integrated into the formal economy” through holistic, integrated pilots,” Mutonhori said.
She said the project would also link miners with banks and microfinance institutions to improve access to finance for mercury-free equipment.
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“A core component involves setting up eight demonstration sites to introduce mercury-free processing technologies. The fourth component focuses on knowledge and communication to share lessons from the project,” she said.
Mutonhori said Waterwitch Mine was one of the priority sites, describing the mine as a “mercury hotspot” where close to 1 000 artisanal and small-scale miners supply and process gold ore.
“We are documenting the technical and environmental baseline so that we can look at opportunities to optimise technologies and how we can introduce mercury-free processes at Waterwitch Mine,” she said.
Geotech supervisor Sipho Gumbo said the mine supported around 500 artisanal and small-scale miners operating in 204 contractor shafts alongside its two company shafts.
“We have artisanal, small-scale gold miners whom we call our contractor miners,” Gumbo said.
“For artisanal miners in aiding them we provide machinery, compressors, jackhammers, PPE and even food.”
He described the arrangement as “more of a fifty-fifty situation” for sharing proceeds.
The mill processes the miners’ ore using its stamp mills, but currently uses mercury to extract gold from the ore and syenite.
Gumbo acknowledged the health and environmental risks associated with the use mercury.
“We certainly heard about the harmful effects of the mercury and syenite that we are using from different places,” he said.
Following a visit from Planet GOLD Zimbabwe, the mine said it would adopt cleaner methods.
“They gave us more of an insight of how mercury is hazardous to human health and environmental impact,” Gumbo said.
“We are working hand-in-glove with PGZ in order for us to adopt the new mercury-free gold technologies.”
Artisanal miner Likhwa Ncube welcomed the partnership with large-scale operators, saying it improves access to PPE and tools.
He raised concern over the inability to sell on the part of miners producing under 10 grammes of gold.
“If you are below 10 grammes the gold cannot be sold at the bank… it’s now being sold at the mine which is US$45. This usually becomes very difficult for us,” Ncube said, calling for alternative selling channels.
Fellow miner Hebert Sibanda said the arrangement at Waterwitch was working well for his six-person gang.
“We are given transport to move our loads… and the Waterwitch Mine is, indeed, taking good care of us,” he said, noting that company staff handles mercury processing, which makes the process easier and safer for miners.
The Planet GOLD project is funded by the Global Environment Facility and aims to reduce mercury use while improving incomes and safety in Zimbabwe’s ASGM sector.
Environmental Management Agency officials who took part in the tour refused to comment, stating they only speak to State media reporters. This contradicts the Access to Information law, which compels public officials to release information to anyone who requests it in the country.