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Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation (ZMF) national technical advisor and Zanu-PF youth national executive member Cde Marufu Sithole has urged Government to formalise the operations of artisanal miners in Shurugwi to curb side-marketing and plug gold leakages.

Speaking in Shurugwi recently, Cde Sithole said most youths were being forced into gold panning due to limited employment opportunities and most of them were selling their gold through the black market since they are not licensed.

Cde Sithole said there is need for Government to relax conditionalities attached to the formalisation of artisanal mining and mine claim registration to enable small players and gold panners to operate legally and be able to sell their gold to Fidelity.

“We are appealing to Government to relax some of the requirements and prerequisites of registering gold claims and formalising gold mining especially gold mining in Shurugwi.

“In my view, Government can benefit more from gold produced in Shurugwi if all artisanal miners are formalised. This will help curb side marketing because most of the gold obtained from illegal mining is sold at the black market,” he said.

Cde Sithole said local communities should also benefit from resources in their environs and this can only be achieved if most of the mining proceeds are declared to Government.

“It is high time we start benefiting from mineral resources found in Shurugwi.
“We want the minerals to improve our infrastructure, create employment and above all contribute towards economic recovery in the country,” he said.

Last year Government revised downwards its gold production target of 28 tonnes to 24,5 tonnes due to loss of production in January and February largely as a result of heavy rains that flooded most mines.

Small-scale miners were the hardest hit by the rains forcing many to suspend operations, while big corporate companies also slowed down production.

Most gold was also lost through leakages and side marketing.