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Kiyapili Sibanda, Business Reporter
A TOTAL of 55 women miners from Bubi District on Friday graduated with certificates after completing a training course in the fundamental principles in mining.

The programme was facilitated by the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) in conjunction with Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation (ZMF), an umbrella body for small-scale miners in the country.

ZSM chief executive officer Mr Dzingirai Tusai said women have a huge role to play in the mining sector hence it was important for them to venture into full time mining.

He said providing women miners with resources and the capacity in skills was crucial in promoting Sustainable Development Goals.

“Women must take up mining seriously because they have a huge role to play in order to change the norm that mining is designed for males only. Women’s participation in the mining sector is more committed, it is more reliable and it is more responsible,” said Mr Tusai.

ZMF spokesperson Mr Dosman Mangisi said the training programme was a pilot project that should be scaled up to cater for more miners.

“I’m very delighted to say 55 women graduated in fundamental principles in mining. This is our pilot project as ZMF and I am glad to say we are having another intake in January next year.

“We want to empower women to venture into mining as this is critical in uplifting their livelihoods.

“Also, those who attended demonstrated what they were being taught at Zimbabwe School of Mines.

“This is the first stage to formalise them and we are happy with the response they have shown,” said Mr Mangisi.

Bubi Miners’ chairlady, Ms Jane Lusinga, said that women were supposed to venture into responsible mining and contribute towards   the mining sector and the mainstream  economy.

The mining industry in Zimbabwe contributes significantly to the country’s gross domestic product.

Due to the general small-scale nature of mining activities in Zimbabwe, there are an estimated 300 000 informal miners active around the country.

Research suggests that Zimbabwe holds an estimated 26 500 million tonnes of mineral resources of, which 10 500 million tonnes are potentially extractable.

@Kiyaz_Cool