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Small-scale miners dominate Zimbabwe gold deliveries
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As Zimbabwe prepares to celebrate its annual Independence Day next month, the spotlight is turning to the country's mining sector, where small-scale miners now account for the majority of gold deliveries.
Over 60 percent of Zimbabwe's gold output currently comes from small-scale producers, marking a significant shift in an industry that was largely inaccessible to the black majority during the colonial era.
Industry observers say the sector has become a key source of employment and entrepreneurship, particularly for young Zimbabweans who have entered mining as part of broader economic participation since independence in 1980.
Youth empowerment activist Annah Mabhena said independence opened doors to previously restricted economic sectors.
"Our government, after independence, has enabled many young people to go into the mainstream economy, and mining is one of them. Young people are playing a very big role in mining, and most people seem to forget that this is due to the fact that independence opened up sectors of the economy that were closed to blacks," she said.
Miners say the growth of small-scale mining has created employment opportunities, skills development, and wealth creation.
Dumisani Dube noted that the sector now supports hundreds of jobs, including professional roles.
"We are now enjoying the fruits of our fathers' labour. The land reform itself was important in opening up hidden economic potentials underneath the ground. Now we run mines that are employing many young people; for example, I employ over 500, including professionals like geologists and metallurgists, and we are even sending them to the Zimbabwe School of Mines for training. It's only whites who had such privileges before," he said.
Another miner, Bekezela Moyo, highlighted the wealth-generating impact of the sector for young entrepreneurs.
"If there is a generation that should be grateful, it is us. We have seen a serious creation of wealth among young miners, a direct result of our independence that allowed us into an economic sector previously reserved for whites. This is a great time to reflect on independence and admit it brought fruit that has uplifted us in a big way," he said.
Nigel Shamu also praised the transformation of the industry.
"We are a testimony of empowerment which resulted from independence. Imagine the days when possession of gold was criminal, to where we are today. We are contributing to the national GDP, and among us, many young black millionaires have been made through the resources of their own country. We owe such achievements to independence," he said.
As Zimbabwe prepares to mark its Independence celebrations, the mining sector continues to reflect on the transformation of an industry once dominated by a minority, now playing a central role in economic participation and national growth.
Over 60 percent of Zimbabwe's gold output currently comes from small-scale producers, marking a significant shift in an industry that was largely inaccessible to the black majority during the colonial era.
Industry observers say the sector has become a key source of employment and entrepreneurship, particularly for young Zimbabweans who have entered mining as part of broader economic participation since independence in 1980.
Youth empowerment activist Annah Mabhena said independence opened doors to previously restricted economic sectors.
"Our government, after independence, has enabled many young people to go into the mainstream economy, and mining is one of them. Young people are playing a very big role in mining, and most people seem to forget that this is due to the fact that independence opened up sectors of the economy that were closed to blacks," she said.
Miners say the growth of small-scale mining has created employment opportunities, skills development, and wealth creation.
Dumisani Dube noted that the sector now supports hundreds of jobs, including professional roles.
"We are now enjoying the fruits of our fathers' labour. The land reform itself was important in opening up hidden economic potentials underneath the ground. Now we run mines that are employing many young people; for example, I employ over 500, including professionals like geologists and metallurgists, and we are even sending them to the Zimbabwe School of Mines for training. It's only whites who had such privileges before," he said.
Another miner, Bekezela Moyo, highlighted the wealth-generating impact of the sector for young entrepreneurs.
"If there is a generation that should be grateful, it is us. We have seen a serious creation of wealth among young miners, a direct result of our independence that allowed us into an economic sector previously reserved for whites. This is a great time to reflect on independence and admit it brought fruit that has uplifted us in a big way," he said.
Nigel Shamu also praised the transformation of the industry.
"We are a testimony of empowerment which resulted from independence. Imagine the days when possession of gold was criminal, to where we are today. We are contributing to the national GDP, and among us, many young black millionaires have been made through the resources of their own country. We owe such achievements to independence," he said.
As Zimbabwe prepares to mark its Independence celebrations, the mining sector continues to reflect on the transformation of an industry once dominated by a minority, now playing a central role in economic participation and national growth.
Source - ZBC
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