BY NYASHA DUBE- Women in small scale chrome mining have been urged to work extra hard and rise above the challenges they are facing in the male dominated industry.
Women’s Weekly Journal caught up with a female chrome miner who operates in Zvishavane, who was representing the mining town at the Gender and Extractives Symposium held in Harare recently.
The symposium which was facilitated by Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association and Oxfarm was running under the banner “Promoting Women rights to development in the COVID-19 pandemic: case of mining sector”.
In an interview, Namatirai Mpofu acknowledged the challenges faced by women in the extractive sector, particularly chrome.
“Chinese owned companies are not paying us fairly, and they are not practicing land reclamation after their activities. This puts lives of humans and livestock at risk,” said Namatirai.
The Chinese are the dominant chrome miners and buyers in the country.
Other challenges that were identified during the symposium include gender based violence, high demand of sexual favours by male counterparts, unwanted pregnancies and HIV, among others.
Namatirai however challenged women to rise above all the obstacles, saying they can make it even if it’s tough.
“I just want women to know that nothing is impossible in mining. You just have to be a risk taker. The Great Dyke has a lot of riches and if you work hard you will go far….”
“You don’t have to be educated or offer men sexual favours. Just focus. Even for those without claims, you can start at artisanal level. Practice makes perfect,” she said.
Women in chrome mining have long been lamenting sour relations they have with Chinese investors, a development which has negatively affected output.
They often face challenges such as lack of knowledge, language barriers, lack of safety in operations and poor pricing of mineral ores.