M a r k e t N e w s
Zimbabwe: Mining Co. Set to Increase Gold Production
Posted on : Wednesday, 30th March 2016
Redwing mine, a subsidiary of South Africa-based Metallon Gold is set to increase gold production after resuming operations following a de-flooding exercise, management has revealed.
Redwing mine stopped operations in 2008 after Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) cut power supplies over payment issues. The move contributed to massive flooding of shafts as the mine could not pump the water underground.
General manager, Newton Murimirwa, told Mines minister Walter Chidhakwa during a tour of the mine last week that they have not been fully operational for eight years due to a myriad of challenges.
"We started in 2013 but water levels were high and we could not mine but in 2015 it was much better because we could start mining. We then resumed plant and underground operations," said Murimirwa.
He said in November last year, they managed to produce eight kilogrammes of gold, increasing output to 16kgs by December.
"In January 2016, we managed to produce 20kgs while production went up to 21kgs in February. In March the company produced 25,6 kilograms of gold and the graph is going up," said Murimirwa.
Since 1904, Redwing has mined close to 60,9 tonnes of gold and is expected to mine another 100 tonnes in the next 100 years, said Murimirwa, adding that they were only operating a third of the mine shafts because the other areas were still flooded.
"By 2017, we should be at level 22 of the mine. We are aiming at reaching at 22,500 ounces of gold by September and 30,000 ounces by first quarter of year 2017.
"We are expecting that by December this year, 50 percent of the mine will be functional," said Murimirwa.
He said their major challenge was illegal panners who were trespassing onto their claim, causing massive environmental degradation.
Corporate Affairs Director, Zenzo Nsimbi, said Redwing mine was working on a project to hand over 30x 50 hectare blocks from their 3,000 hectare claim to the Penhalonga community so that locals can also be actively involved in the mining of gold.
"We are working on the modalities to set up a mill for the local artisanal miners. We have identified some groups to work with such as Women in Mining (WIM) and youths and the Share Community Ownership Trust," said Nsimbi.
He said the company has contributed $50,000 towards the local Share Community Ownership Trust, adding that the mine would give technical expertise to the beneficiaries of the claims.
Minister Chidhakwa said the mine should justify its existence by doing more to community development, adding "the community should appreciate the existence of the mine".
"You need to work with the school of mines so that artisanal miners will get more knowledge.
"It's sad that you avail machinery to people who do not know how to use it. This does not bring tangible results," said Chidhakwa.
Source : allafrica.com
