Chamber of mines demand poltical stability for increased production

President of the Chamber of mines of Zimbabwe Mr. David Murangari told stakeholders at the Chambers Annual General meeting in Harare on Friday that the government should urgently re-engage the international funding institutions for the revival of the mining sector.

The government should urgently finalise the outstanding issues in the GPA and re-engage the international multilateral funding institutions .We also demand that the government facilitates the reopening and finalization of mines that were stalled because of harsh economic conditions, said Murangari
He also urged the government to revisit the Empowerment and Indigenization Act and finalize the enactment of the mines and mining Bill which he said has caused confusion to potential investors in the mining sector.

The matter of indigenization has raised emotive debate which sadly has resulted in clouding sensible dialogue which is needed to ensure that whatever is finally crafted will; serve the interests of Zimbabweans without compromising investment and production, added Murangari.
One white miner who declined to be named commented on indigenization Act is meant for political rather than economic gains.
We have seen this issue of indigenization from the land reform. We know that this Act is meant for politics, because 60% of small scale mines are owned by blacks who are failing to delever,said the white miner.

According to the Chamber of mines of Zimbabwe Gold production dropped from 7018Kg in 2007 to 3576 in 2008 with most gold mines either closed or put to care and maintenance for lack of cash flow because of non-payment of delivered gold to fidelity printers.
Platinum group minerals increased by 8% over that of 2007 with its total production for 2008 was at 5495 Kg.The mining sector was also hard hit by massive brain drain as most of its professional left the country for greener pastures regionally and abroad.