By Nyasha Dube
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Owen Ncube says large scale mines should prioritize women when issuing mine claims as they are equally capable of being productive in the extractive sector.
He made the remarks on Wednesday whilst touring Sabi Gold Mine in Zvishavane along with other stakeholders.
The minister toured the Anmack Private Limited owned mine in Zvishavane, along with other government officials, media, chiefs, small scale miners and community members.
The tour provided a space for stakeholders to understand the mine’s operations and for women in mining to learn sustainable extraction practices.
“I am impressed by the mine’s operations and the commitment to contribute to the country’s economic growth. However, I urge the mine to also prioritize women when distributing mine claims especially in the face of drought. Women and youth in the whole district must benefit,” Minister Ncube said.
The minister’s remarks underscored the importance of gender equality and empowerment in the extractive sector, highlighting the crucial role that women can play in sustainable resource management and community development.
He also hailed the mining company for creating employment opportunities for locals in the district.
“I have noted the growth in employment opportunities, from 120 to over 600 workers which means people from the community are benefiting and that is a good thing,” he said.
During his visit to the Sabi Gold Mine, the minister emphasized the need for inclusive and gender-sensitive policies in the allocation of mine claims, pointing out that women have often been underrepresented in the mining industry despite their potential contributions.
He further noted that empowering women in mining not only promotes gender equality but also enhances the industry’s overall resilience and sustainability, especially in the face of environmental challenges like the current drought.
The minister’s call for prioritizing women in mine claim issuance comes at a critical time when the El Niño-induced drought has exacerbated existing challenges in the country, impacting local communities and the mining sector alike.
In response to the minister’s remarks, representatives from Sabi Gold Mine Managing Director Brian Chandiwana expressed the mine’s commitment to promoting gender diversity and inclusivity within their operations.
He acknowledged the importance of empowering women in the mining sector and pledged to review their policies and practices to ensure equitable access to mine claims and opportunities for women in the industry.
Chandiwana also highlighted the mine’s commitment to work closely with traditional leaders and ensure that the Zvishavane community is not hard hit by the anticipated drought.
“We will also work closely with chiefs as they are the custodians of the communities we are operating in, to ensure that our Corporate Social Responsibility benefits everyone in the district,” Chandiwana said.
Sabi Gold Mine is on a fast track to boost production, as the mine is currently producing an average of 43 kilograms of gold per month, with hopes to average between 50 to 60kgs by next year.
Anmack Private limited which took over the gold mine in 2022 is currently going into it’s third year of operation, with the managing director saying the mine’s life expectancy is currently at 20 months.