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Walter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
Artisanal gold miners, including those in Mashonaland West, are expected to benefit from Government’s elaborate plan to provide funding and critical machinery for the sector. In essence, Government’s intends to formalise the industry. As a result, the gold centres, which will also serve as gold buying centres, will be set across the country to teach artisanal miners safe and environmentally friendly mining techniques.

Addressing people at Chikari Stadium a fortnight ago, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said artisanal mining should be done legally.

“We have farming and mining here (in Chakari). Tinoda ikozvino kuti migodhi, whether ndiyo yanga ichiitwa yedu iya iya yatinoti makorokoza, takuda kuti zvichimainwa zviri pamutemo” (We want mining, whether it is the one which we call makorokoza, to be done legally),” he said.

“Muchibatsirwa nekupuhwa mazano, nekupuhwa equipment. Tirikuita atinoti magold centres anogadzirwa munharaunda dzinoitwa zvegold, anogadzirwa ipapo anoita kuti vanhu vachere ndarama zviripamutemo, ndarama iyo igoenda kubank redu (You will be helped through ideas and equipment. We are establishing gold centres in gold producing areas, which will ensure that gold mining is done legally and the gold is sent to our bank {Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe}).

Orderly mining, VP Chiwenga said, will help reclaim mined areas that have been degraded for the benefit of future generations. He said mining should be conducted in a safe and orderly manner that is sensitive to the environment.
Zimbabwe, he added, has enough wealth to serve current and future generations.

“The new dispensation has a vision and for its realisation, there is need for unity. This country is endowed with so much wealth that when we pull in one direction and put the interests of the country first, our children and future generations will find it hard to believe that we were once in crisis.”

He said Government is committed to turning Zimbabwe a into middle-class economy by 2030, urging Zimbabweans to think big and strive to be the best in everything they do. VP Chiwenga said the consummation of the investment commitments under the current political administration – which are reportedly more than $7 billion – will naturally boost productivity and the national economy. “If we give people money in their pockets, what then happens tomorrow?

“We are planting wheat right now and can we say the same wheat should make bread today or it’s a process until it is ripe and processed?”

VP Chiwenga also called for peaceful elections that will usher in leaders chosen by the people. “We are now headed for elections and our message to the people is that we want them to be free and fair. We do not want violence. This appeal goes to everyone, including the young and the old,” he said.

According to the Vice President, President Mnangagwa has worked exceptionally well in restoring Zimbabwe and deserves a chance to continue rebuilding the country.