Business Reporter
ZIMBABWE School of Mines (ZSM) has churned out 650 professionally trained small scale miners around the country since it launched the Fundamentals of Mining programme in 2011.
In an interview with Mining Index, ZSM acting Chief Executive Officer revealed that 650 artisanal miners have received professional training at ZSM. ‘We as ZSM, since we launched Fundamentals of Mining in 2011, we have trained 620 small scale miners.’
He said that in 2018 alone, 121 small scale miners have schooled with ZSM, with more expected to receive their training before end of year.
‘This year, we have trained 121 small scale miners with a potential 100 more to be trained in October and November, said Gwaze.
In line with government’s initiative to equip small scale miners to increase production and safe use of mining methods, ZSM conducts small scale mining training programs in the six mining districts of Zimbabwe.
ZSM has a regional mandate to enrol regional students, participate in regional mining indabas, exhibitions and forge partnerships in the region and abroad.
A number of mortalities have been reported across Zimbabwe in which artisanal miners have fallen prey, with the Eldorado mine collapse in Chinhoyi on 23 August 2018 being the latest incident where 12 artisanal miners perished after being trapped in the mine.
Commenting on the recent disaster at Eldorado mine, Gwaze said, ‘It is not ZSM’s mandate to have protective measures for mining disasters but within our curriculum we have Mine Safety and Environment Management aspects.’
Through the distance learning centre and outreach services, ZSM facilitates training of an array of short courses aimed at improving the skills of the miner at various levels.
ZSM courses include Advanced Certificate in Fundamentals of Mining, which is a seven day course which include practical visit to the a small scale mine.
The courses aim to teach miners technical understanding of the main stages in mining, from exploration, geology, mining and processing. This will also include general mining business economics, finance and planning, law and basic mine safety, health and environment.
ZSM was established by a presidential charter signed on 20 May 1994, Statutory Instrument 100 of 1994, in terms of the Mines and Minerals Act. ENDS//