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Herald Reporter
Four journalists under the Zimpapers group have been nominated for the mining media awards to be held tonight at a Harare hotel. The awards running under the theme “Driving Excellence in Mining Reporting”, are the brainchild of MEJRKH Communications and Advisory in partnership with The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe.

Herald Senior Reporter, Lloyd Gumbo was nominated for the Diamond Sector best reporter category, while the Sunday Mail’s Kuda Bwititi and Chronicle’s Obey Sibanda were nominated for the Gold Sector best reporter award. Factmore Dzobo, formerly with the Chronicle, was nominated in two categories — Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability award and Small Scale and Artisanal Mining award.

Other media houses have at most three nominees across the categories. In a statement yesterday, MEJRKH Communications and Advisory said the awards were meant to encourage coverage of the mining sector in the local media.

The organisation said this would influence policy makers, the public and the mining sector in general adding that this year’s entries had been oversubscribed. “The Mining Media Awards enjoy substantial support from the mining sector and the corporate world, with several sponsors and participants coming on board,” read the statement.

“Award entry categories for this year include Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, Small Scale and Artisanal Mining, Mining Sector and the Economy, Platinum, Gold and Diamond sectors best reporters. “Media practitioners from all over the country expressed keen interest in the awards, responding overwhelmingly to the call for entries. We have also assembled a highly competent team of adjudicators, comprising veteran journalists, members of the civil society and miners to ensure that the best entrants win.”

Mines and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa, will be the guest of honour at the awards that are in their second year.