By Business Reporter – Friday 14 February 2020
HARARE (Mining Index) – THE forthcoming Gold Mining Workshop scheduled for Bulawayo this February is expected to share comprehensive knowledge on gold mining in Zimbabwe.
Running under the theme, “Harnessing the Power of Collaboration and Knowledge for Sustainable Gold Mining”, the workshop is expected to outline the gold value chain, challenges faced, proffer solutions and uncover opportunities in the gold sector.
Organized by Bulawayo based business consultant, entrepreneur and Managing Director of The Solutionists Africa Group, Rudo Barbra Sibanda, who has previously worked within the legal fraternity as an Attorney in the commercial, litigation and corporate departments of a top-tier law firm, she has gained experience in the extractive industry as a projects advisor, a chartered secretary and as a corporate trainer having an on-going collaboration with the Zimbabwe School of Mines for its mining law-related training programme.
This experience has enabled her and her partners to put together various topics for this crucial workshop whilst also allowing participants to share their own experiences for the betterment of the gold sector.
Of note, some pertinent topics to be covered will include but are not limited to, the geological and regulatory aspects of gold mining; processing of gold and techniques used (cost/benefit analysis); dealing in gold; mining rights, property rights, land use and exclusive prospective orders (EPOs); health, safety and environmental issues; business aspects of gold such as project evaluation, financial and capital budgeting; inventory and supply chain management.
The workshop will also deliberate on equipment issues such as maintenance, sourcing and financing; social challenges such as social license to operate and gender inequalities and opportunities for inclusivity in the gold sector.
Contracts and key elements to be aware of when contracting, negotiating and concluding contracts, applying skills learnt to regularize operations and improve business efficiency in view of best practice and national goals will also be discussed.
“In view of so many questions I have received from various companies, colleagues and individuals, it is without doubt that the gold mining sector attracts a lot of attention. A platform should be created to gain an understanding of this sector, improve our knowledge in certain aspects of the value chain and tap into the opportunities the sector creates. We are doing just that with the secondary aim of networking, promoting collaborative efforts to mine sustainably and encouraging entrepreneurship regardless of gender in the sector,”
“I believe changing the nation’s approach to doing things begins with one person at a time, one business at a time. If I can impart knowledge, skill and influence the way my community does mining business, then I think a positive ripple effect has started,”
“Compliance and governance are not an event, they are a continuous process which require that one understands the need to comply in view of growth and their contribution to the economy. I am encouraged by the words of Richard Branson when he said, ‘Every success story is a tale of constant adaptation, revision and change’ and William Halsey when he said, ‘There aren’t any great men. There are just great challenges that ordinary men like you and me are forced by circumstances to meet.’ We are facing trying times in the gold industry and change begins with us. That is what the workshop is aiming to do,” said Sibanda.
ENDS// www.miningindex.co.zw
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