Tichaona Zindoga
THE mining sector is set for a major transformation after Zanu-PF launched a nationwide training programme for small-scale miners to improve safety, productivity and environmental sustainability.
The programme, being implemented in partnership with the Zimbabwe School of Mines, begins in Bulawayo this week with a training-of-trainers workshop before being rolled out across the country.
The ruling party is also pushing for stronger enforcement of legislation designed to ensure that small-scale mining benefits indigenous Zimbabweans while promoting responsible mining practices.
In an interview last week, Zanu-PF secretary for mines and energy, Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana, said the initiative was prompted by concerns over unsafe and unsustainable mining methods within the artisanal mining sector, which is largely dominated by miners commonly known as makorokoza.
He said the programme is modelled on the agricultural extension system, where trained personnel provide technical support and practical guidance to communities.
“The course which is taking place is train the trainers on basic mining (on) how you drill, how do you handle explosives, how do you handle chemicals, how do you mine without damaging the environment,” said Cde Mangwana.
“We will think again in conjunction with the School of Mines on other mining courses we can introduce so that we can have a basic mining course, medium mining course and advanced mining course, as we move forward.”
Commenting on the increasing involvement of some foreign players in the sector, Cde Mangwana said the party had engaged Government to tighten regulations, protect opportunities for local miners and bring sanity to the sector.
“We have responded by nagging the Government, which has come up with legislation to restrict all small-scale mining to local people. Foreigners can only come in to do medium to large-scale mining. That is the new law that is being enforced right now,” Cde Mangwana said.
He said foreign investors should focus on bringing substantial capital investment and modern mining technologies to the country.
“But we have said there is now a new definition of small-scale mining. They (foreigners) are not supposed to work on 10 hectares. Anything above that they can participate as foreigners,” said Cde Mangwana.
He said the reforms were intended to promote orderly growth of the mining industry while ensuring Zimbabweans derive maximum benefit from the country’s mineral resources.
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