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Oliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation (ZMF) is seeking a licence to export more than 500,000 tonnes of chrome ore from small-scale miners. The request follows the temporary lifting of raw chrome ore exports ban, which is meant to rejuvenate the sector and empower small-scale miners.

Chrome ore exports were stopped in April 2011 as the government sought to encourage beneficiation of the mineral by local smelting companies.

ZMF mining consultant Neville Mutsvangwa said:

“Since the ban has been lifted we’re seeking an export licence so that we buy chrome ore from small-scale miners”.

ZMF is an umbrella body representing small-scale miners in the country.

The organisation says it has identified a (unnamed) technical partner to render logistical and financial support if its request is granted.

Mutsvangwa said ZMF had the capacity to buy and export chrome from small-scale miners along the Great Dyke, which cuts across four provinces from Zvishavane in the Midlands to Mutorashanga in Mashonaland West.

He said there were about 200,000 small-scale miners who are into chrome mining.

“At the moment, small-scale miners have over half a million tonnes of chrome ore which they stockpiled over the years and if ZMF is granted an export licence, this will go a long way in empowering every member of the federation who’s into chrome mining,” he said.

“ZMF has found the market for chrome and will buy it at more than $75 per tonne that’s being paid by some smelting companies.

“With support from our technical partner, ZMF will be able to pay cash on the spot instead of paying miners after some months as what’s happening now.”

Mutsvangwa said their approach would empower small-scale miners who were at the moment depending on the government for financial support.

ZMF president Apolonia Munzwerengwi also implored the government to create an enabling environment for empowering small-scale miners.

“In the next few weeks, we’re going to put our heads together as ZMF leadership and present our request for an export licence for chrome.

“We would also want to appeal to the Zimbabwe School of Mines to offer training to small-scale miners.

“This will go a long way in equipping miners with the skills to improve their mining,” she said.

However, Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Fred Moyo said the government was putting in place a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to buy chrome from small-scale miners.

“The SPV is meant largely for nobody else except ZMF. If you’ve your five tonnes of chrome, for instance, the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe will come and buy that.

“We’ll put laboratories along the Great Dyke to check the quality of your chrome. I plead with you to leave the system to work as planned now through the SPV,” he said.

The government has said it is mobilising up to $100 million for the SPV.