Zimpapers Logo

Business Reporter
THE 10,000-member Women Miners Association is seeking partners to exploit several of its lucrative mineral claims dotted around the country.Formed in 2004, the organisation led by Anakileta Gumba, has been awarded gold, chrome, tantalite and diamond claims by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development but is struggling to exploit the mineral resources because of equipment and capitalisation constraints.

“We’ve so many women in mining now than before and our membership is about 10,000 countrywide. We’ve been given several claims in places such as Masvingo, Chiredzi, Bubi and Chiadzwa but lack the required machinery and capital to exploit these resources,” said Gumba.

“That’s why we need investment partners. We also invite big corporates to partner us so that we boost production.”

She said her association was impressed with the participation of women in mining saying those involved were doing well despite limited capacity.

“Most women now understand the mining field and are keen to participate because they realise it pays. As an association we also try to involve elderly women and the elderly to have shares in our mines as well,” Gumba added.

She said women in mining were demanding a share in the $100 million equipment support facility for small-scale miners that was recently unveiled by the Ministry of Mines. “We sell our gold to Fidelity as required by law and we qualify for equipment support. We’ve grouped ourselves into syndicates that can benefit and be given compressors,” Gumba said.

She said her organisation was also trying to engage foreign investors such as Chinese for partnership in training and equipping women miners with the required skills by taking them to training institutions such as the Zimbabwe School of Mines.

The Zimbabwe Mining, Agricultural, Residential and Tourism Trust (ZIMARTT), to which Women Miners’ Association is affiliated, have also urged investors to assist women in mining.

“We need to boost women participation as this benefits the country at large. We urge investors to partner with women to unlock their potential. This is the essence of empowerment,” said Hillario Ngulube, head of ZIMARTT in Matabeleland North.