Chinese investor, YMED empower small scale miners
FIFTEEN groups of artisanal and small-scale miners have received mining claims and equipment from a Chinese investor and empowerment lobby group, the Young Miners for Economic Development (YMED).
The groups whose operations will now be formalised will also have access to suitable modern equipment.
Each of the 15 groups has six people and the YMED’s Chinese partners represented by Mr Wang Yu, have donated 10 compressors, three hammer mills and over 30 boxes of explosives.
The groups and their claims are formally registered with gold deliveries being made to Fidelity Printers. Speaking on the sidelines of the donation handover ceremony, YMED President Mr Nyasha Magadhi said the programme was aimed at formalising and modernising operations in line with international trends.
“We want our miners to formalise and move towards world-class operations. President Mnangagwa and the Zanu PF Government have been opening up opportunities for youths and creating an enabling environment for young entrepreneurs to thrive in the mining sector,” said Mr Magadhi.
Mr Wang said: “The donation comes as part of our corporate social responsibility programme and a desire to support young miners’ vision. This is our corporate social responsibility and of course, our desire to realise young miners’ vision in Zimbabwe.”
Another lobby group, Action for Empowerment Zimbabwe (AEZ) donated US$5 000 to buy protective clothing for artisanal and small scale miners to ensure safety and adherence to health and environmental standards.
“We want world-class in the sector hence our dedication to health and safety issues. We believe zero harm is possible, not only in large operations but even smaller ones,” said AEZ president Mr Alson Darikai.
University of Zimbabwe SRC president Mr Tendayi Mushayi, who is one of the beneficiaries of the donation, applauded YMED and its partners for the gesture.