By Dorcas Rumano

Speaking during the Women’s Mining Conference at the ongoing Mining, Engineering and Transport Expo (Mine Entra) in Bulawayo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Mr Onesimo Moyo said Government was currently implementing policies that empower women in mining.

 “I assure you that the Government of Zimbabwe always remembers the role played by women as our mothers. With this, the Ministry of Mine and Mining Development is implementing various policies to increase the growth of women participation in the mining industry.

“Empowered by the Mines and Minerals Act, women may prospect and register mining claims and special grants where their areas of interest fall under reservation. These mining titles provide them access to ownership of the resources; therefore they can mine process and sell their products,” said Mr Moyo.

He added that women can form syndicates and cooperatives which help in cases where individual miners may not have financial and technical capacity. He said that the syndicates and cooperatives could build up through pulling together of resources.

“Government assistance to the small scale miners has been availed through the Mining Industry Loan Fund, established to assist small to medium scale miners with plant and equipment. The fund also provides establishment and development loans. Government through the Ministry set aside a quota of the fund dedicated to women miners,” he added.

To avail more ground for mining to indigenous players, Mr Moyo said Government through the Ministry was working on the 'Use it or Lose it policy where companies with idle mining claims will be forced to release ground for other players.

The conference was attended by various women in the mining sector across the nation.