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Mashonaland Central Correspondent
EUREKA Gold Mine employees, whose wives demonstrated last month over their husbands’ unpaid salaries for 30 months, finally received their dues following Government’s intervention through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development.

A total of 45 employees were paid their salary arrears, with wives of employees who had passed on also receiving the salaries on their behalf.

“Of the 45, about 19 managed to buy new cars and many of them have cleared their school fees arrears and other debts, said the mine human resources manager,” Mr Gina Vambe. “Some are busy buying building materials.”

Chairman of Delta Gold Zimbabwe, which is the mine’s parent company, Mr Charlemagne Chimbangu, hailed the new dispensation for bringing sanity at the mine, which has seen new investors, Breckridge Investments, coming on board to kick-start operations.

“We want to thank Government for their intervention through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development,” he said.

“We have paid about $750 000 in outstanding salaries and an additional $200 000 to other creditors. The salary arrears have been cleared and our employees are in high spirits after a period of despair and desperation.

“We have begun the second phase of our roll-out plan, which is the general clean-up of the mine, including the refurbishment of plant and equipment. We are also grading the roads leading to the mine.”

Eureka Gold Mine has been under care and maintenance since 2015 when Women in Mining led by former First Lady, Grace Mugabe’s ally Blessing Hungwe, invaded the mine, leading to a protracted battle to reclaim it, resulting in the suffering of employees.

Guruve North Member of National Assembly, Retired Brigadier General Epmarcus Kanhanga, commended efforts by the mine owners, which would result in numerous employment opportunities for the area.

“I can confirm that the employees received their salaries, which is a good thing,” he said.

“With the opening of the mine, we expect more employment opportunities for the locals.

“It is our hope that the mining operations will also change the face of our district.”