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Michael Magoronga Midlands Correspondent
THE Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) — in conjunction with Met Bank — last Thursday launched an electronic multi-purpose membership card for miners in Shurugwi.

The multi-purpose card linked to the mobile phone can enable a miner to access loans and mining equipment offered by the bank, confirm membership, buy goods, pay bills and transfers among other things.

In a speech during the launch of the card in Shurugwi, ZMF president Ms Henrietta Rushwaya said the card came with a number of benefits including easing fuel shortages that have threatened to cripple the mining sector.

“We expect every member of our associations across the country to be in possession of the card as it will serve as a membership card that will come with a lot of benefits.

“For example, the current fuel crisis that has hit the country, we have liaised with some fuel stations that will be advised to you in due course that will give first preference to miners upon production of the card,” she said.

Miners who have been facing challenges with the police over possession of gold ore will also be exonerated upon production of the card.

“We are grateful to the Government for announcing that possession of gold ore was no longer a crime. But as miners we were still facing challenges with police who are still arresting us for possessing gold.

“This is, however, yet to be crafted into law so talks are still underway with Government that if one produces the membership card and identification, no arrest will be effected,” she said.

She also praised the bank for the determination to support the mining sector.

“We are really grateful to Met Bank who have chosen to offer us support through mining equipment and loans so that the industry can flourish. I therefore urge miners to take up the opportunity and take up the initiative seriously,” she said.

Met Bank recently availed a $10 million facility to support the local small-scale miners.

Speaking at the same occasion, Met Bank Consumer Banking Divisional Director, Ms Sarah Tembedza reiterated the bank’s support for the miners saying, not only financial loans were on offer, but also mining equipment.

“We discovered that miners are important as they are the major foreign currency earners and we want to help them surpass the target of tonnage given by the Government of gold ore this year. So we have come in with this ZMF/Met Bank Alliance membership card which enables mines to benefit from the services we are offering,” said Ms Tembedza.

She said plans were underway to set up gold processing centres across the country to ensure total beneficiation.

“We have started by supplying equipment and loans, but long-term plans are that we set up gold servicing centres across the country to ensure that there is beneficiation before the gold is imported to other places,” she said.

Government set a target of 30 tonnes of gold by year end and already, 28 tonnes have already been delivered to Fidelity printers with the bulk, 19,2 tonnes coming from small-scale miners.