UNITED Women Mining Association (UWMA) is targeting to increase gold production by 3 kgs per month in the near future, an official has said. OWN CORRESPONDENT
In an interview with Southern Eye Business UWMA secretary-general Mpumelelo Musekiwa said mining in Zimbabwe was one of the economic key drivers hence women should not hesitate to tap into it.
She said since the association’s inception in January this year, it has grown from strength to strength and at the moment they have a membership of more than 900.
“Since our inception in the last few months we have deposited about 1,3 kg of gold and we are targeting to deposit 3 kgs in the near future,” Musekiwa said.
She lamented that the price of the precious mineral was low and hence the government should revise it.
The country’s sole gold buyer, Fidelity Printers is buying gold at $32 per gramme, while on the informal market a gramme of gold would fetch about $40.
She urged all women to organise themselves and be empowered.
“We are saying women should benefit in all Zimbabwe’s minerals and they should feel empowered. Women should wake up and make mining as business because there are lots of opportunities in this industry,” added Musekiwa.
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The association has got over 80 gold claims.
Their first project started in Umzingwane district and was funded by women.
In his 2014 National Budget statement, Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa indicated that the government’s objective was to bring artisanal miners into the mainstream economy, with Fidelity Printers set to be the sole buyer of gold in the country, with all other dealers only acting as agents.
