By Business Reporter – Thursday 21 May 2020
LOCAL – HARARE (Mining Index) – THE Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) yesterday drew up a strategic road-map to ensure continuity and coexistence of mining with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stipulated measures are meant to ensure mining within the Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) community cohabits with the new-normal order, but under strict supervision to contain the spread of the virus.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected and disrupted lives, livelihoods within the artisanal and small-scale mining communities in Zimbabwe and globally,”
“ZMF is coming up with initiatives and innovations to minimise the impact on public health and to limit disruptions along the value chain,” said Wellington Takavarasha, ZMF chief executive officer in a memo addressed to ZMF members and stakeholders.
Some of the innovative measures include pursuing the ASM formalisation and regularisation initiatives with the involvement of key stakeholders through consultations with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development together with Fidelity Printers and Refiners (FPR) in the registration and mapping of ASM zones.
Takavarasha said while it is evident that governments across the globe are relaxing control measures with economies beginning to reopen, containment measures are aimed at raising awareness and fostering widespread debate to resuscitate the ASM sector during the lockdown period.
He said ZMF Stakeholders Zoom Forum meetings are expected to shape better the mining industry by highlighting issues and concerns arising from the ASM sector, while weekly and quarterly meetings with Ministry of Mines are expected to iron out outstanding and arising matters.
Takavarasha said the Federation will work closely with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health to create awareness and educate its members on personal hygiene to help prevent the spread of the pandemic.
He said the ZMF-ASM-Government Stimulus funding budget outlay will be put in place in order to execute some of the programs.
ZMF will also look at COVID-19 risks outlook, with preliminary mapping and its implications on the mining sector. ENDS// www.miningindex.co.zw
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