Young miners applaud govt for developments in sect...

Young miners applaud govt for developments in sector

Munyaradzi Doma

Young Miners for Economic Development have applauded President Mnangagwa's government for the growth and development in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining sector.

In a statement ahead of harmonised elections held on Wednesday, YM4ED president Nyasha Magadhi said then their organisation was also endorsing President Mnangagwa's re-election.

“We are not encouraging Miners to vote for Zanu PF because we love the party but this is purely based on milestone achievements which have been made by the government in regards to the growth and development of the ASM industry.

“The ASM gold industry is the only sector in the country which is paid in 100 percent USD cash and we also have seen the government coming in to provide grants to the tune of US$ 10 million towards the growth of the sector,” said Magadhi.

He added that despite lack of geological reports, the “ASM sector is allowed to borrow through the gold development initiative fund.

“This has seen the sector aiding significantly towards the attainment of US$12 billion industry with the ASM at current accounting for over 67 percent gold annual production.”

Magadhi further said President Mnangagwa’s government had all citizens to venture into the mining sector regardless of their political affiliation.

“We are endorsing the re-election of President ED Mnangagwa because he is a listening President who has taken time to understand how the ASM industry works,” said Magadhi.

He added that the while the opposition has been calling for criminalisation or banning of the ASM, President Mnangagwa’s government has supported them.