News / Regional
Gold rush in Bulilima
19 May 2016 at 01:32hrs | Views
GOLD panners are flocking to Bulilima District's Dombolefu Ward following unconfirmed reports that the mineral has been discovered in the area.
Bulilima West National House of Assembly Member, Lungisani Nleya, said a syndicate comprising of locals was now panning in the area in search of the mineral.
He said the illegal activities started after one of the villagers alleged that he had found some gold there.
''Villagers have started panning for gold in Village 30 of Dombolefu Ward as it's suspected that the area contains gold. One of the villagers recently said he found traces of the mineral and we now believe that there could be more in the area.
"A syndicate of villagers is now digging in the area but as of now they haven't managed to find anything. If it's confirmed that the area is a potential gold mining area then that will be a huge development for the entire district," Nleya said.
Bulilima Rural District Council chairperson, who is also the councillor of Dombolefu Ward, Morgen Ndebele, confirmed that villagers were panning for gold in his ward.
He said the panning has been going on for the past two weeks.
Ndebele said he had discovered that members of a gold panning syndicate had engaged the services of a surveyor who had confirmed that the area contained gold.
He said the local authority would engage relevant authorities to ensure that any gold deposits benefit the rightful people.
"We can't just have anyone moving into the area to prospect for gold without the knowledge of the authorities as proper channels have to be followed," said Ndebele.
Recently, gold was also found in the neighbouring district of Mangwe.
Bulilima West National House of Assembly Member, Lungisani Nleya, said a syndicate comprising of locals was now panning in the area in search of the mineral.
He said the illegal activities started after one of the villagers alleged that he had found some gold there.
''Villagers have started panning for gold in Village 30 of Dombolefu Ward as it's suspected that the area contains gold. One of the villagers recently said he found traces of the mineral and we now believe that there could be more in the area.
"A syndicate of villagers is now digging in the area but as of now they haven't managed to find anything. If it's confirmed that the area is a potential gold mining area then that will be a huge development for the entire district," Nleya said.
He said the panning has been going on for the past two weeks.
Ndebele said he had discovered that members of a gold panning syndicate had engaged the services of a surveyor who had confirmed that the area contained gold.
He said the local authority would engage relevant authorities to ensure that any gold deposits benefit the rightful people.
"We can't just have anyone moving into the area to prospect for gold without the knowledge of the authorities as proper channels have to be followed," said Ndebele.
Recently, gold was also found in the neighbouring district of Mangwe.
Source - chronicle
