News / Regional
Gold rush in Matabeleland South
19 Jan 2013 at 10:37hrs | Views
HUNDREDS of villagers in Mphoengs in Mangwe district, Matabeleland South have been thrown a lifeline following reported massive discoveries of gold deposits in the area.
Villagers who spoke to NewsDay yesterday said illegal panners discovered the gold when they sampled a claim which is said to have been previously mined by Germans who owned Gertie and Castle block mines in the area, before the Second World War.
"Gold panners discovered huge gold deposits in Gertie Mine and people started going there to pan for gold," said Nkululeko Ncube, a villager and miner in the area.
He added: "Unfortunately most people visit the area at night to escape police harassment."
Unconfirmed reports say some panners have managed to get as much as 1kg of gold which at the current market rate is valued at between $50 000 and $60 000.
"It is actually true that massive gold deposits have been found in the Gertie Mines," said Gift Ndlovu who has mining claims in the area. "I can confirm that omakorokoza (illegal gold panners) are getting as much as 1kg of gold from Gertie and Castle block mines."
A villager who identified himself as Moyo urged Chief Sangulube, under whose jurisdiction the area falls, to intervene whenever people from other areas come to pan at the expense of locals.
"It is disheartening that this money (gold) benefits people from other areas. Chief Sangulube must intervene," said Moyo.
Chief Sangulube was not reachable on his mobile phone at the time of going to print. Mangwe MP Edward Mkhosi confirmed the developments, adding that the area was historically known for its rich gold deposits since the Second World War.
"I know the area which you are talking about - it is along Ingwezi River in Makhubu area," he said.
"Germans used to mine there before World War II and left some gold claims there."
He added: "There might be a gold rush in the area, but unfortunately under the Indigenisation law locals will never benefit until someone from somewhere comes and owns the mines then they can have shares."
Matabeleland South provincial mining commissioner Raphael Moyo could not comment on the developments as he was on leave.
"I am on leave, I know nothing," he said referring all questions to his office.
Villagers who spoke to NewsDay yesterday said illegal panners discovered the gold when they sampled a claim which is said to have been previously mined by Germans who owned Gertie and Castle block mines in the area, before the Second World War.
"Gold panners discovered huge gold deposits in Gertie Mine and people started going there to pan for gold," said Nkululeko Ncube, a villager and miner in the area.
He added: "Unfortunately most people visit the area at night to escape police harassment."
Unconfirmed reports say some panners have managed to get as much as 1kg of gold which at the current market rate is valued at between $50 000 and $60 000.
"It is actually true that massive gold deposits have been found in the Gertie Mines," said Gift Ndlovu who has mining claims in the area. "I can confirm that omakorokoza (illegal gold panners) are getting as much as 1kg of gold from Gertie and Castle block mines."
A villager who identified himself as Moyo urged Chief Sangulube, under whose jurisdiction the area falls, to intervene whenever people from other areas come to pan at the expense of locals.
"It is disheartening that this money (gold) benefits people from other areas. Chief Sangulube must intervene," said Moyo.
Chief Sangulube was not reachable on his mobile phone at the time of going to print. Mangwe MP Edward Mkhosi confirmed the developments, adding that the area was historically known for its rich gold deposits since the Second World War.
"I know the area which you are talking about - it is along Ingwezi River in Makhubu area," he said.
"Germans used to mine there before World War II and left some gold claims there."
He added: "There might be a gold rush in the area, but unfortunately under the Indigenisation law locals will never benefit until someone from somewhere comes and owns the mines then they can have shares."
Matabeleland South provincial mining commissioner Raphael Moyo could not comment on the developments as he was on leave.
"I am on leave, I know nothing," he said referring all questions to his office.
Source - newsday
