US$300k gold processing plant launched in Shurugwi

Published: 4 hours ago

MIDLANDS Provincial Affairs Minister, Owen Ncube, has officially launched a US$300,000 gold milling and processing centre in Shurugwi, aimed at promoting formal mining operations and supporting artisanal and small-scale miners in the mineral-rich district.

The Shurugwi Community Empowerment Trust Gold Milling and Processing Centre, funded and donated by Chenxi Chengetai Investments, is designed to provide affordable and accessible services, addressing a district previously identified as a hotspot for illicit mining activities.

Speaking at the handover on Tuesday, Ncube hailed the project as a milestone in community empowerment and a testament to the strengthening of Sino-Zimbabwean relations. "This transformational event showcases yet another milestone community empowerment initiative by the Second Republic. I commend Chengetai Investments for spearheading responsible mining in the Midlands Province and advancing Zimbabwe-China bilateral mining agreements," Ncube said.

The minister emphasized that the centre aligns with the government's formalisation trajectory, which seeks to boost youth empowerment, economic growth, and the provincial GDP, which the mining sector contributes 36 percent to. The facility is also expected to promote national security and social cohesion while helping curb drug and substance abuse in the area.

Simon Karimanzira, general manager of Chenxi Chengetai Investments, explained that the milling centre represents the final phase of the company's holistic empowerment initiative for small-scale miners. "This facility ensures miners have access to affordable milling services without being exploited by unscrupulous operators. Mining is already hard work, and this centre guarantees that miners retain a surplus rather than a deficit of their product," he said.

Karimanzira also called for strict compliance with Zimbabwe's regulatory frameworks, urging the government to establish satellite gold buying centres at extraction points to streamline the sale of recovered gold through Fidelity Printers and Refiners.

Currently powered by a 500kVA generator, the centre has been supplied with 2,000 litres of diesel as initial operating capital. The facility features high-capacity equipment, including nearly five-ton rod mills, 3.5-ton hammer mills, recovery tanks, and secure carbon rooms designed for 24-hour operations and efficient gold trapping.

The Shurugwi gold milling and processing centre is expected to significantly improve livelihoods for small-scale miners while fostering formalisation and responsible mining practices in the Midlands Province.
- newsday