Small-scale miners cry for tools

WE are appealing to Government to consider empowering us with machinery so that we can mop up enough minerals and contribute to economic growth of the country, the Small-Scale Miners Association has said.

But Mines and Minerals Development Minister, Richard Musukwa, said the miners must engage equity partners for them to sustain operations.

Association president, Kunda Chani, said if Government empowered miners with machinery they would be able to extract enough minerals such as copper, gold and other minerals.

Mr Chani said most of the miners were grappling with operational hitches because they do not have necessary machinery to mine the minerals.

He said in an interview that it would be prudent if Government helped so that miners could enhance operations.

Mr Chani said the miners would only be able to extract enough minerals by using proper machinery.

Meanwhile, Mr Musukwa said Government had no resources to help the miners to sustain their operations and advised them to engage equity partners so that resources could be mobilised for operations.

He said in a separate interview that this was one of the ways the miners would be able to sustain their operations.

Mr Musukwa said Government could only lobby for help from cooperating partners, but as it was doing that miners should also do their part by finding equity partners.

"As Government it is not our responsibility to render financial support to miners. What we are supposed to do is to engage cooperating partners like the EU and others to give some support. But it is also my appeal to them that they can find partners who are financially stable," he said.