The equipment includes water pumps, compressors, bull mills and crushers.
Small scale miners have contributed almost a fifth of the gold that the country has produced this year. However, with the acquisition of new equipment, economists said the figures were likely to increase.
Chimanikire said the initiative was in line with government’s effort to increase gold production in the country. He added that the exercise would be targeting small scale miners in the country’s five mining regions.
“We will start distributing the equipment in two weeks time to deserving miners in Harare, Kadoma, Gweru, Masvingo and Matebeleland,” he said. “Miners with good production figures, and the potential to produce as assessed by our team, will benefit. Repayment will be made on an agreed scheme.”
However, fears have been raised over the durability of the machinery since it was made in China. Chimanikire said a team of Zimbabwean engineers had been sent to China to assess the machinery.
Post published in: Business