President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday announced that the country’s lock-down had been further increased by 14 days and gave the green light for the mining industry to resume full-scale operations.

The highly anticipated decision brought relief to the Mining industry and miners who had not been exempted have already started preparing to return to work. The resumption of operations, however, is on condition that miners stay at their respective accommodation at their mines and are pre-tested ahead of the commencement of operations.

“I have now directed the Ministries of Health and Child Care, and that of Mines and Mining Development to work closely to ensure the workforce in the mining sector is immediately screened and tested ahead of resumed operations,” said Mnangagwa.

On enquiring, if Miners will need some clearance to begin operations Zimbabwe Miners Federation President Ms Henrietta Rushwaya said, “We stand guided by our Mines and Mining Development Minister Hon Winston Chitando on way forward after the announcement of the 2-week lockdown Extention by His Excellency”.

Mining Zimbabwe sent enquiries to the Mines Minister and by the time of publishing this article he had not responded.

Miner and Mining Consultant Edward Shakemore Fundira said, “Well, the President in his lockdown address has automatically exempted all miners to continue or to resume mining operations. We now await to hear guidelines of operations from the Ministry responsible for mines in conjunction with the Ministry of Health then we comply”.

“Also the President in his speech today highlighted that miners must be confined to their mining location, so we the mine owners are to provide decent accommodation for our employees at the mining locations in order to limit movements. There is need for miners and their employees to thoroughly observe W.H.O guidelines such as social distancing, practising good hygienic practices and also putting on Personal Protective Equipments all the time to prevent the spread of the disease”. Fundira concluded.

Mining Zimbabwe