STAKEHOLDERS in the mining sector should make a deliberate effort to empower women, persons with disabilities (PWDs) and youths to actively participate in the mining sector, a senator has said.
Speaking on the sidelines of a joint portfolio committee on mines and thematic committee on gender and development tour of Tebekwe Mine in Shurugwi recently, committee chairperson Senator Anna Shiri said women, PWDs and youths should be accorded equal opportunities in the mining industry.
She said women, PWDs and youth were struggling to access mining opportunities in the country.
“So these tours we are carrying out as a committee across the country will help us to develop actionable policies and interventions that will enhance equal opportunities for women, youths and persons with disabilities in the mining industry,” Shiri said.
“It is 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 women, youths and PWDs access mining opportunities.”
She, however, commended Tebekwe Mine for being one of the successful mining operations led by a woman.
“This is quite commendable. We are witnessing a successful mining operation being led by a woman. Tebekwe is doing its best not only in employment creation but also in empowering the community through corporate social responsibility programmes and helping to fight drug and substance abuse among the youth,” 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 operations at the mine.
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“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 were also destroying equipment such as pumps, among others.
She appealed to government to ensure Zesa provides mines with load-shedding schedules so that can effectively plan their activities.
