Branton Matondo
Envisioned national mantra ‘youth empowerment through mining’ has been realised by a Midlands based mining firm which has now grown from humble Kwekwe beginnings to breaking into the SADC region and engaging other youth driven small scale miners across Zimbabwe towards achievement of professionalism.
Mining prospectus and architectural survey Architeca Survey Consultancy is a fast growing sector that has allowed the movement of informal miners to commercial mining over the past decade.
A youth led mining survey and prospectus company is taking heed to government’s call for youth to professionalise mining be it small scale or immature commercial mining.
In an interview with TellZim News, Architeca Survey Consultancy director Engineer Norman Pfende said youth should utilize the vast opportunities engrained in the mining industry as his firm broke into the SADC region from modest beginnings in Kwekwe.
“In Zambia, we recently engaged big corporations that are recognized nationwide there through Over Resources organization also run by a fellow Zimbabwean youth. We are now providing technical services in exploration, mine surveys, grade control, shaft sinking, mine planning and design and mining contractor. The multi-million dollar project is already in motion because it’s a long term initiative,” said Pfende.
Over Resources top protocol Shingayi Saga who is based in Zambia confirmed the collaboration citing that mining, small scale and commercial has good opportunities that are at youth’s disposal in the SADC region.
“The project is new and yet to grow but it is receiving a lot of promises. As Over Resources, we were tasked with duty to select a panel of mining experts and Mr Pfende was more appropriate for the job. I feel that such engagements will put youths on the spotlight in terms of exposure to formal way of the mining business in the entire region. I believe that youth have taken over the mining industry but I feel they lack support from respective governments in terms of capital and granting of mining licenses,” said the former Jena mine worker.
Over Resources is a Zambian based company that supplies mining consumables to small scale gold miners and also partnering in mining and mineral processing projects.
ASC is already operating in Mumbwa and Mazabuka regions in Zambia.
Survey, geology and mining have been key in the transition of small scale mining hotspots like Shurugwi, Gwanda, Kwekwe, Lower Gweru and Mhondoro.
Youth across Zimbabwe have taken the initiative of formalising their mining productions a clarion call that has been preached by government towards realisation of vision 2030.
The 28 year old mining expert has already engaged with Masvingo based small scale and upcoming miners from Zaka in Makaha area a move that has seen ASC chipping in by supplying shaft sinking and plant setup.
An attempt to contact Masvingo based small scale miner Panashe Guyo was fruitless until time of writing.
The deal is aimed at professionalising Masvingo based miners at the moment producing tonnage of gold per annum from various mines to Fidelity.
