Makaha Gold Service Centre complete
THE development of the Makaha Gold Service Centre in Mashonaland East province, using part of the US$10 million facility that was disbursed to support small-scale and artisanal miners early this year, has now been completed.
The facility to assist small-scale miners in producing gold was unveiled by the Government in February. The amount allocated for the creation of a small-scale miners’ fund was US$5 million, with the remainder going towards the construction of specialised gold service centres.
The cash was drawn from Zimbabwe’s US$956 million Special Drawing Rights, from the International Monetary Fund, disbursed by the global financier to help member countries recover from the effects of the Covid19 pandemic.
In an interview, Ministry of Mines and Mining Development Permanent Secretary Mr Pfungwa Kunaka said: “From the US$5 million, the ministry had targeted construction of five gold service centres in Makaha, Penhalonga, Mazowe, Mukaradzi and Mberengwa.
“The gold service centre for Makaha area, Mutoko, Mashonaland East, has been established.
“The site was identified and registered for operation, in line with the Mines and Minerals Act.”
The site, he added, has been cleared and fenced for security, while boreholes have been drilled.
Furthermore, a gold milling plant has been established and is scheduled for commissioning soon.
“Miners in Makaha near the centre can now access milling services,” said Mr Kunaka.
“The centre will also offer technical support to nearby miners.
“Plans are also underway to have a CIP (carbon in pulp) installed. We hope that in the first quarter of 2024, the CIP will be installed.
“The centre will also offer equipment to miners who need such support and who will supply ore to the gold service centre for milling.”
CIP is an extraction technique used to recover gold from ore that has been “liberated into a cyanide solution”.
The Makaha Gold Service Centre will provide critical services to smallscale and artisanal miners, including access to equipment, training and technical expertise.
This comprehensive support system is aimed at empowering miners to operate more efficiently and safely, while also ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
The funds, said Mr Kunaka, were being disbursed through BancABC, with the Zimbabwe Minerals Development Corporation (ZMDC) being the implementing agent.
“Accessing the money followed a long process that involved going through many steps and fulfilling bank requirements until the funds got to ZMDC,” he said.
“Treasury released the resources in May 2023 and ZMDC could only access them in August 2023.”
Before activation of the facility, ZMDC had already established the Bubi-Lupane Gold Service Centre, he added.
“The third gold service centre has been set up in Makaradzi, Mashonaland
Central province.
“The site has been identified and officially registered.
“The site has been cleared and fenced for security. A borehole has been drilled to supply water, and the civil works have been completed.”
He said the authorities had since purchased a milling plant for the centre and were awaiting its delivery.
“Once the order has been delivered, the machines will be installed and commissioned,” said Mr Kunaka.
He said the other US$5 million has been directed to the Mining Industry Loan Fund (MILF).
“The ministry uses the resources provided to purchase equipment for a loan scheme for miners,” he continued.
“The provision of equipment to small-scale miners will ensure the miners also adopt safe and environmentally friendly mining methods.
“As a ministry, we stand ready to assist small-scale miners with technical support that is critical for the sector.
“Procurement of equipment to bolster the capacity of MILF is progressing.”
To access the equipment, he said, miners submit applications through the ministry’s provincial offices.
Supporting small-scale miners, he added, was critical to enhancing gold production. Small-scale miners account for over 60 percent of the country’s total gold production.
“Of the 35,3 tonnes delivered to Fidelity Gold Refinery in 2022, smallscale miners contributed 24,1 tonnes, while large-scale miners contributed 11,2 tonnes, which is 68 percent and 32 percent contribution, respectively.
“For 2023, about 27 tonnes of gold have been delivered to Fidelity Gold Refinery to date.
“Large-scale miners have produced 10,6 tonnes, while small-scale miners have produced 17,1 tonnes.”