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Michael Magoronga Midlands Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) last week received mining equipment from Lifetouch International Investments in a US$2million deal that will see the company playing a huge role in supporting the small-scale mining sector.

The latest deal is part of synergies which ZMF created to capacitate small-scale miners who are faced with material shortages, all in a bid to boost its gold production.

The US$2 million deal with the Redcliff based Cement Manufacturer, saw the mining federation receive the first batch of equipment ranging from generators, compressors, stone crushers, jaw crushers among others.

The company also pledged more support for the mining sector through supply of more equipment, fuel as well spares for the mining equipment.

Receiving the equipment on Tuesday at the company’s cement plant in Redcliff, ZMF President, Ms Henrietta Ruswhaya said the equipment will go a long way in strengthening the gold processing centres that the Government is currently setting up across the country.

“This contribution comes at a time when we are setting up gold centres across the country. It will certainly go a long way in ensuring that the Small Scale Mining sector will increase production. The partnership will also go a long way in ensuring that our gold processing centres across the country are well resourced,” she said.

Ms Rushwaya said with such synergies, the gold production sector is confident of surpassing the set gold target of 40 tones.

“By so doing, we are trying to increase gold production and as of now we are confident that we will meet, if not outwit the 40 tones earmarked for 2019. We are also trying to increase investor confidence in the country by proving that companies can come and invest in Zimbabwe and have such kind of partnerships with local companies,” she said.

She said ZMF was also in the process of erecting spare parts shops for gold mining equipment through the partnership with Lifetouch. Lifetouch chief executive Mr Don Wang said the gesture was triggered by the realisation of the potential the small scale miners have in increasing the country’s gold production but lagging behind in the capacitation thereof.

“It is our pleasure to provide ZMF with mining equipment, and this is our duty that we should play in the development of Zimbabwe. We are focusing on the Small Scale Miners who have the potential but lack the capacity to produce. So we partner with ZMF so that they can realize the full potential,” said Mr Wang.

Last month, ZMF entered another similar pact with Shurugwi based company Pabloz Investments and received equipment for use in the sector.

Resting right on top of the Great Dyke, such Public Private Partnership are envisaged in the mining sector if the country is to benefit more from the vast gold resources that are untapped in the country.