By Patience Rashai

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has slated this November for its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and inaugural conference as the sector props up efforts to align artisanal and small scale miners to the mainstream economy.

“The inaugural conference and exhibition is set for Gweru this November, and statistics prove that many players are now willing to formalise their operations; so far it has attracted more than 3 000 delegates,” says ZMF president, Henrietta Rushwaya.

The conference is aimed at revolutionising the artisanal and small scale mining sector through formalisation, as well as provide new perspectives on main issues and concerns affecting the artisanal and small mining sector.

 “Government acknowledges that artisanal and small scale miners have for long been disenfranchised due to stigmatisation of their operations, hence the need to align them in the mainstream economy,” says Rushwaya.

Artisanal miners have been major contributors to the country’s total gold output yearly, though their operations have for long been viewed as informal.

According to Fidelity Printers and Refiners, the sector contributed at least 65% to the total output last year, with artisanal miners producing 22 tonnes out of the total 34 tonnes produced.

This year’s conference is being held in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, together with Fidelity Printers and Refiners, Chamber of Mines and the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe.