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By Elvis Dumba
Muriel Mine, Zvimba – The Pan Africa Mining-operated gold mine of Muriel Mine is expected to help the Mashonaland West province’s gross domestic product (GDP) output through the establishment of a new dump re-treatment plant currently being set up.
The plant is constructed on a 50-hectare piece of land and is expected to see the mine producing at least 60kgs of gold output per month from the current 10-15 kgs per month.
Pan African Mining Company operates Muriel Mine near Mutorashanga and Ayshire Mine near Banket.
Mines and Mining Development Minister, Hon Winston Chitando toured the mine on Friday accompanied by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Hon Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, and the Zvimba North Constituency legislator who is also the Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister, Hon Marian Chombo.
Minister Chitando said the plant that is expected to be commissioned at the end of the year will go a long way in the employment creation of locals.
“The good thing about this significant project is that more locals will now have employment opportunities during and after its construction with at least 600 people going to be employed. The increased gold output will help the growth of the economy,” Minister Chitando said.
The plant seeks to recycle slime dumps already mined with the process expected to see 60kgs of gold being produced every month for four and half years.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs, Hon Mary Mliswa-Chikoka said the project will help enhance the province’s gross domestic product.
“Through this great initiative, Muriel Mine will take a huge role in assisting the achievements of our goals as a province. In the spirit of devolution and GDP growth, the locals will not be left behind as there will be employment creation,” she said.
The tour was meant to assess progress on the establishment of the new plant and how the use of new technologies will boost the mine’s gold output through recycling the slime dumps.
Muriel Mine Manager, Thompson Mutezo, said the new technology to be used will produce more finer gold which needs to be processed to be done in a bigger space hence the 50-hectare space.
Hon Chombo said people in her constituency are grateful for the project as most young people were now employed by the mine.
“We are glad for this project which has opened employment opportunities, especially for our youths. We do share cordial relations with the mine that is helping the community through various corporate social responsibilities. As you are aware, we do have traditional leaders who are the custodians of our natural resources.
“The mine has installed solar-powered boreholes for some traditional leaders. Their communities are proof that we work together in harmony in developing our communities. We are both going in the same direction in ensuring no one is left behind as we work towards the achievement of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call towards an upper-middle income economy by 2030 as we build our country brick by brick,” she said.
