By Business Reporter – Monday 17 February 2020
HARARE (Mining Index) – THE Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) is targeting to produce 80 tonnes of gold annually in tandem with the broad vision to catapult the mining industry into a $12 billion sector by 2023.
Increased investment, strengthened provision of drilling and exploration services have been identified as key facets to achieving this vision, which will contribute significantly to the national economy.
Artisanal and Small Scale Miners have contributed immensely to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with those in gold production contributing approximately 66 percent of gold delivered to Fidelity Refineries and Printers (FRP) in the year 2018.
However, small-scale miners have for many years been grossly incapacitated, despite accounting for most of the gold delivered at FRP.
According to a statement highlighting the Strategic Plan of the State Mining of the Artisanal and Small Scale Mining Sector, ZMF president Henrietta Rushwaya said, “The Plan will enable us to build a self-sustaining corporation which contributes significantly to the national economy at large and Government revenues in particular and transform artisanal and small scale mining.
“These will be achieved through increased investment in the mining industry; strengthening provision of drilling and exploration services; and facilitating accessibility to extension services, capital and market to artisanal and small scale miners,” she said.
The ZMF president did not mince her words as she stressed how the plan will depend greatly on how quickly the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development will address key issues in the duration of the period leading to the year 2023.
She added, “We appreciate the ongoing support, advice and guidance given by The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and our stakeholders. ZMF will track its progress against this plan on an annual basis and provide a detailed account of this performance, through its annual report.”
The federation’s 2020 strategic plan also encompasses a Gold Mopping Exercise targeting to reach the 80 tonnes mark, annually, while also carrying out nationwide Anti-Machete awareness campaign in the wake of unruly gangs, that have not only been causing mayhem for artisanal miners, but also innocent citizens and police leading to unwarranted deaths across most gold-rush zones, spread across Zimbabwe. ENDS// www.miningindex.co.zw
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