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Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
GOLD miners have appealed to the Government to repeal the Gold Trade Act and facilitate formalisation of the small-scale sector to unlock the sub-sector’s potential.

Presenting on the gold sector growth imperatives during the Gold Sector Mining Symposium, which was held at the start of the annual Chamber of Mines conference here yesterday, Zimbabwe Miners Federation president, Ms Henrietta Rushwaya, said formalising the artisanal small-scale (ASM) mining sector was long overdue.

She said an estimated two million small-scale gold miners were employed in the sector and were using rudimentary methods or minimal use of technology in their operations, which limits their growth.

Ms Henrietta Rushwaya

Ms Rushwaya said policy review was critical in enhancing ASM sector development as it will reduce conflict between small and large-scale mining entities, promote continued dialogue and create partnerships.

She said once implemented, the harmonised ASM mineral policy will improve operations of small-scale miners.

Ms Rushwaya called for the elevation of the ASM desk in the Ministry of Mines to a department that will focus on the sector.

“With regards to growth prospects we are requesting for the repealing of the Gold Trade Act especially from Section 3 up to Section 12, which mostly talks about criminalisation of gold possession without valid licences. Our sector is growing in leaps and bounds and as such we kindly request that we become participants that are active in so far as contribution to the country’s GDP is concerned,” said Ms Rushwaya.

She said the Ministry of Mines should take a leading role in the process of formalising the sector.

Ms Rushwaya said Zimbabwe can learn from other countries like Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda and Kenya that have invested in formalisation of the ASM.

She said there were challenges that hinder small scale miners like lack of financial and technical support as well as use of unqualified personnel, which has at times resulted in loss of life.

Ms Rushwaya said the interface with large-scale miners was important and appealed to the big mines to assist in training small-scale miners on safety and proper mining.

She said ZFM had come up with a number of strategies like partnerships with other players and the Chamber of Mines to mechanise the sector.

Mines and Mining Development Minister, Winston Chitando

Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando who was guest speaker at the symposium said amendments to the Mines and Minerals Act were being concluded by the AG’s Office.

“One of the challenges is that there is no enabling legal framework and one of the key amendments to the Act is definition of small-scale miners,” he said.

“We are following what other countries like Rwanda, Zambia and Tanzania did to formalise small-scale mining,”said Minister Chitando. – @ncubeleon.