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its gold mines, deputy minister of Mines and Mining Development said yesterday.
Mr Gift Chimanikire said they had injected US$2,4 million in Jena Mines, which is already producing about 26kg of gold a month.
He said plans were progressing to raise output to 36kg by mid-year. Jena, with over 600 workers, operates a multi-shaft system.
“The management will also start carrying out exploration in various shafts to enable it to expand production,” said Mr Chimanikire adding: “We have also acquired new state of the art equipment to enhance efficiency.”
At Elvington, ZMDC is conducting feasibility studies to revive the mine following almost eight years of inactivity.
The mine currently produces an average of 120kg of fine gold a year from the sand plants.
Mr Chimanikire said ZMDC has engaged a local bank to finance its revival.
He said about US$300 000 was required to study various mineshafts. Preliminary results had shown that the mine, located about 140km west of Harare, still has abundanat gold deposits.
Elvington collapsed in 2003 due to the nature of the faulted area. At the time, the mine was producing between 40 to 50kg of gold a month.
ZMDC requires between US$15 million and US$20 million to revive the mine.
Mr Chimanikire said a partner had been identified to revive another gold mine, Zvishavane-based Sabi Gold Mine.
Renewed activity at existing gold mines has re-energised the sector.
According to the Chamber of Mines, Zimbabwe’s gold output is expected to rise to 50 000kg by 2015, if the sector receives enough support.
The chamber noted that gold output was recovering rapidly and would soon compete with platinum in terms of revenue.
The gold mining sector has shown strong potential to recover, with output expanding from about 3 500kg in 2008 to 9 600kg last year, earning the country about US$380 million.
Output fell drastically in the decade to 2008 from a peak of 28 000kg in 1999 weighed down by economic challenges.