by Staff Reporter

In response to youth’s call for more support from Government in order for them to meaningful contribute to the fiscus, Government has pledged to continue rolling out programmes to support youths in the mining sector.

The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development said that Government was planning to invest in value addition of minerals in a bid to create more jobs especially for the youths.

“As the country works towards Vision 2030, through The National Development Strategy (NDS1), it is determined to enhance the mining sector by investing towards exploration, beneficiation, and value addition of minerals including levelling the field to accommodate small scale miners.

 “This will not only create jobs for the youths, but also increase foreign currency earnings,” read the statement.

Mines and Mining Development Chairperson, Edmond Mukaratigwa also added that Government was exploring more options to formalise Artisanal and Small Scale Miners (ASM) to facilitate growth in the sector.

“Many youths will be captured in this group as most of them constitute artisanal miners. Laws to improve gender equality in the sector and many more programmes have been identified for youths and will be rolled out in due course,” he said.

Apart from the mining sector, Government has also pledged contribution to youths’ welfare towards the arts industry and the sporting sector, which had been receiving little support for some time.