News / Local
Gold mining claims for Zvishavane community
24 Apr 2016 at 05:02hrs | Views
SABI Gold Mine in Zvishavane which is set to resume operations in August, has pledged to allocate gold mining claims to villagers, particularly youths in the area, as part of efforts to empower the community where the mine is situated.
The gold mine is expected to resume operations after a local investor, Chandiwana Mining Co-operation injected $26 million towards its resuscitation.
Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Fred Moyo said the allocation of gold mining claims to the local community would also help reduce illegal gold mining activities which have become rampant in the area.
He said a number of youths in Zvishavane were engaging in illegal gold mining due to limited employment opportunities and the pledge by Sabi Gold Mine would go a long way in alleviating the plight of many people in the area.
Sabi Gold Mine, which had not been operational for the past two years, has also become a target of illegal gold miners who have accessed the mine's shafts.
Some of the illegal gold panners use explosives to blast pillars that anchor the mine shaft, leaving the shafts at risk of collapsing.
"There are maps that are available showing areas that we have selected as gold claims that will be allocated to local youths to carry out regularised mining.
"Chiefs will sit down together with councillors and other local leaders to work out the modalities on how the claims will be distributed," he said.
Moyo said priority would be given to youths from rural communities who are often left out in a number of empowerment activities.
"Youths who should benefit are those from rural areas. We don't want to continue empowering urban youths at the expense of their rural counterparts. Of course during your selection you may consider youths from the urban part of Zvishavane but those should be a small fraction. We also have war veterans who have approached us and requested claims. They will also be covered by this programme.
Moyo added that when the mine resumes operation it will also be expected to contribute to the Zvishavane Community Share Ownership Trust.
Chief Mazvihwa, one of the chiefs whose subjects are expected to benefit from the gold claims pledged by Sabi Gold Mine expressed gratitude at the gesture.
"Naturally we are happy because of this development. Our wish is that whatever has been discussed culminates into something tangible for our people. With this development we know our people will have something to do and sound sources of income. It was requested that we educate our people on the dangers of illegal mining activities at the mine. I will personally make sure that is done. On 27 April I am convening a meeting with all community leaders in my area to make sure that message gets across to everyone," he said.
Chandiwana Mining Co-operation which injected capital towards resuscitation of Sabi Gold Mine is partnering Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation in the project.
The gold mine is expected to resume operations after a local investor, Chandiwana Mining Co-operation injected $26 million towards its resuscitation.
Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Fred Moyo said the allocation of gold mining claims to the local community would also help reduce illegal gold mining activities which have become rampant in the area.
He said a number of youths in Zvishavane were engaging in illegal gold mining due to limited employment opportunities and the pledge by Sabi Gold Mine would go a long way in alleviating the plight of many people in the area.
Sabi Gold Mine, which had not been operational for the past two years, has also become a target of illegal gold miners who have accessed the mine's shafts.
Some of the illegal gold panners use explosives to blast pillars that anchor the mine shaft, leaving the shafts at risk of collapsing.
"There are maps that are available showing areas that we have selected as gold claims that will be allocated to local youths to carry out regularised mining.
Moyo said priority would be given to youths from rural communities who are often left out in a number of empowerment activities.
"Youths who should benefit are those from rural areas. We don't want to continue empowering urban youths at the expense of their rural counterparts. Of course during your selection you may consider youths from the urban part of Zvishavane but those should be a small fraction. We also have war veterans who have approached us and requested claims. They will also be covered by this programme.
Moyo added that when the mine resumes operation it will also be expected to contribute to the Zvishavane Community Share Ownership Trust.
Chief Mazvihwa, one of the chiefs whose subjects are expected to benefit from the gold claims pledged by Sabi Gold Mine expressed gratitude at the gesture.
"Naturally we are happy because of this development. Our wish is that whatever has been discussed culminates into something tangible for our people. With this development we know our people will have something to do and sound sources of income. It was requested that we educate our people on the dangers of illegal mining activities at the mine. I will personally make sure that is done. On 27 April I am convening a meeting with all community leaders in my area to make sure that message gets across to everyone," he said.
Chandiwana Mining Co-operation which injected capital towards resuscitation of Sabi Gold Mine is partnering Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation in the project.
Source - Sunday News
