Stephen Chadenga
A joint portfolio committee on mines and thematic committee on gender and development has commended Tebekwe Gold Mine in Shurugwi as one of most successful mining operations in the Midlands led by a woman.
Speaking last Thursday on the sidelines of a joint portfolio comminittee on mines and thematic committee on gender and development tour of Tebekwe Mine in Shurugwi the committee’s chairperson Senator Anna Shiri said Tebekwe had afforded women, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and youths to access opportunities in the mining industry.
“Over the years we have witnessed a scenario where women, persons with disabilities and youths have struggled to access mining opportunities in the country,”Shiri said.
“But we have witnessed that Tebekwe is a cut above the rest in province and can commendably led by a woman.
These tours we are carrying out as a committee across the country will help us develop actionable policies and interventions that will enhance equal opportunities for women, youths and persons with disabilities in the mining industry.
“It also our submission that we want to identify barriers affecting full participation of youths, persons with disabilities and women in the mining value chain as well as assessing existing policies and support programmes being implemented to ensure that women, youths and PWDs access mining opportunities.”
Shiri however commended Tebekwe Mine for being one of the successful mining operation led by a woman.
“This is quite commendable we witnessing a successful mining operation being led by a woman. Tebekwe is doing it’s best not only in employment creation but empowering of the community through corporate social responsibility programmes as well as helping fight youth drug and substance abuse,”she said.
Speaking at the same event Tebekwe managing director Smelly Dube said there were plans to refurbish machinery and put up infrastructure to enhance mining at the company.
“We want to put up a big processing plant, underground rail wagons and acquire chemicals and spares from outside (the country) to enhance our mining activities,”she said.
Dube however bemoaned incessant power cuts saying they were not only affecting mining operations but also destroying equipment such as pumps among others.
She appealed to government to ensure that mines have Zesa schedules that can enable them to effectively plan mining activities.