The ManicaPost
Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Senior Reporter
YOUTHS in Nyanga North have embarked on an intensive small-scale mining venture that is expected to change the economy of the mineral-rich area.
The youths, operating under Nyanga Resources, have three claims in Nyazingwe, Mudomwe and Fombe areas, two of which were given a Special Grant by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.
The company’s director, Mr Evans Kamombo, said they started operations two months ago after formally registering their operations.
“Before we started our operations, this area was under the control of illegal miners who had done substantial damage to the environment with very little benefit to the community. Three quarters of the dump you see here was mined by illegal miners and if investigations are done they will show that most of the gold was not channelled to Fidelity Printers.
“After we registered our operations, we roped in the police to help us bring sanity and secure our claim in Nyazingwe. We managed to acquire small machinery to start small-scale mining and since then, we have been selling to Fidelity Printers,” he said.
The company employs more than 130 people, including 25 women.
Mr Kamombo said they are promoting gender balance by giving everyone equal opportunities.
He said most of their employees were recruited from all 13 wards in Nyanga North, while a few people with specialised skills were roped in from outside the community.
“We have nothing to show for our wealth in Nyanga North. We have had illegal mining operations here for many years and the proceeds have not benefitted the community at all. We are very close to the border with Mozambique, so most of the gold that was mined here was being smuggled to the neighbouring country. As a result there has been zero development. We are here to change that,” Mr Kamombo said.
He said Fidelity Printers should set up a gold buying centre in the area.
Nyanga Resources is in the process of sinking standard shafts and procuring heavy duty equipment as it moves to increase production.
“Our focus is to expand our operations. We started with small hammer mills but we are planning to set up big mills that can crush ore at a higher grade. We call upon Government to empower small-scale miners. We need loans to purchase machinery to improve our operations and increase the rate of extraction. When we do this, we will also increase employment,” he said.
Villagers employed by the company spoke highly of the benefits they are now realising.
“The company has brought an end to some of the illegal mining activities that were taking place here. The gold panning we used to do was very risky as our activities were not co-ordinated to ensure safety. We lost fellow villagers, some were injured and are now living with disability.
“We are happy that people are now working safely and we believe that the future is very bright,” said Mr Richard Moyana.
Mrs Clara Chitsatu said while some women are hesitant to venture into mining, those employed by the mine are enjoying the benefits.
“When gold panners were operating here, we could not join mining. Now that we have been employed, we are working as much as the men here. We are happy that operations have been formalised because in the past, gold panners would rape our children, abuse young girls and leave them with unwanted pregnancies.
“Formalisation has brought sanity. At first my husband did not understand that l was here to work for our family, but he has now seen the benefits that come through my work. By 2030, we believe we will see some positive changes in our lives,” she said.
Mutandiko Village headman, Mr Taurai Dzenga said formalised mining will bring positive development to the community that has been marginalised for years.
“We are happy to see formal mining being done here. Despite having so much gold, we are disadvantaged. We have no roads, very little mobile network coverage and no clean water for our people. We hope all those doing mining activities will channel resources towards the development of our area.
“With Government’s devolution initiative, we believe that we will contribute immensely to the economy of the province and the country at large,” he said.
