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Dosman Mangisi Mining Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) will next year roll out intensive training programmes throughout the country’s mining regions to empower small-scale miners, an official said yesterday.

The one week training programme covers fundamentals in mine geology, introduction to mining methods, mineral processing, drilling methods, mine survey, basic mine finance and planning, mining law, safety, health and environment among others.

ZSM chief executive officer Dzingirai Tusai said this at a recent Seventh Day Adventist graduation ceremony of 40 small-scale miners in Harare where he was the guest of honour,.

“Next year we’re going to carry out outreach programmes in all mining provinces in order to train the fundamental principles of mining to all small-scale miners in the country,” he said.

“The ZSM board has approved the construction of laboratory for artisanal and small-scale miners to further their skills in mining. The laboratory will facilitate in adding more know-how to artisanal and small-scale miners.”

He applauded the SDA leadership for their efforts to empower church members with business skills particularly in the small-scale mining sector.

The small-scale miners undertook a one-week training programme.

Tusai said mining skills training programmes were vital for anyone entering the mining industry as the sector was associated with a number of hazards.

He said ZSM offers outreach training to small-scale miners who would have organised themselves into teams. Speaking at the same occasion, SDA president for North Zimbabwe Conference Obert Mudzengi said his church seeks to empower its members with different business skills.

“As a church, we seek to empower our church members by encouraging them into various business activities. Empowering small-scale miners contributes to economic growth,” he said.