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Bianca Mlilo, Business Reporter
SMALL scale miners have called for the introduction of a “command” mining scheme in their sector saying such a model would result in a double increase in output.

The command model is drawn from the on-going specialised command agriculture programme that is being implemented by the Government in the agriculture sector.

The specialised maize production scheme was launched in October last year and is targeting producing two million tonnes of maize on 400 000 hectares of land of which 200 000ha will be put under irrigation.

Under the programme, farmers are provided with inputs such as irrigation equipment, seed, fertiliser and agrochemicals, tillage and subsidised water and electricity charges among other things on a cost recovery basis.

Zimbabwe Artisanal and Small Scale for Sustainable Mining Council (ZASMC) president Engineer Chris Murove yesterday said a similar model should be extended to the mining sector.

“We can also do with command mining, like with command agriculture. Government could also provide inputs and identify viable mines and work with them,” he said.

“It’s quite possible, with adequate support, to double what we send to Fidelity Printers and Refiners (the Reserve Bank’s gold buying arm). It’s not enough to just say I gave you a compressor because a miner needs other inputs like explosives.”

Engineer Murove said access to working capital would result in increased mining output and formal deliveries to Fidelity, which would eliminate smuggling.

The Government has set a target of 10 tonnes in gold deliveries for small-scale miners this year.

In 2016, the gold sub-sector had set a target of 24 tonnes but slightly missed the mark with players citing a number of technical constraints such as claim disputes, lack of appropriate equipment and skills in small-scale and artisanal mining.

Statistics released by Fidelity Printers and Refiners indicate that total gold deliveries last year amounted to more than 21 439 tonnes, with primary producers (big mines) producing 11 759 tonnes while small-scale and artisanal miners accounted for 9 680 tonnes.

@BiancaMlilo