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Nyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
THE newly elected Manicaland Miners’ Association (MMA) executive has hailed efforts by players in the mining industry in establishing a gold service centre in Odzi, as it will assist in technical and service support to small-scale miners around the province.

Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation (ZMF), with assistance from the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC), is planning to establish a gold service centre in Odzi as part of efforts to increase gold output.

There are also other plans to set up service centres in other provinces.

MMA chairman Mr Godfrey Kombo said the service centre would not only provide expertise but also come with downstream benefits to the communities.

“As the new executive we are urging all miners to be formally registered so that they also benefit from the service centre,” he said.

“The service centre will come with it a lot of benefits ranging from technical support, machinery and equipment and other downstream benefits.

“This is a positive move towards easing miners’ operations hence the call to have them register. The first to enjoy the benefits would be those formally registered.”

Mr Kombo said his association had an array of programmes that are lined up to assist and cushion small-scale miners during their operations.

He also said his association would partner other private players in the gold mining industry to develop and empower small-scale miners.

“Numerous projects have been lined up and some are already being implemented by the association, Government and other private entities which will benefit miners in terms of empowerment and operations,” he  said.

Mr Kombo urged miners to be transparent and shun corruption at all levels of production, saying it held back development.

He said his association’s new executive did not condone corruption or any other  vices.