(The Source)—Zimbabwe’s largest gold miner, Metallon Corporation, has allocated 288 mining claims around its Redwing Mine in Mutare to local community groups as part of its empowerment programme, an industry official has said.
The move is also expected to help curb illegal mining activity in the area.
Redwing, which is ramping up production after resuming operations last November following an eight-year hiatus, agreed to give out nearly 12,000 hectares to community groups in Mutare.
“Redwing Mine officially agreed to give out 11,560 ha to community groups which include women, war veterans, youths, business community and the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF). This translates to 288 claims,” said ZMF chief executive officer, Wellington Takavarasha.
Takavarasha said Mines and Mining Development minister Walter Chidakwa had also requested for an additional 500 claims, a proposal which has been forwarded to the Metallon board.
The allocation of gold mining claims to the local community would also help reduce illegal gold mining activities which have become rampant in the area, he added.
Redwing, which reopened last November, produced 2,300 ounces of gold in the second quarter, maintaining the previous quarter’s output levels.
Management says the group has allocated nearly $2 million for exploration activities at Redwing.
Redwing’s parent, Metallon, reported a 9 percent increase in second quarter production to 22,565 ounces, driven by higher output at its flagship operation, How Mine.
The group targets 120,000 ounces in gold production for 2016. Metallon also operates mines in Mazowe, Shamva and Acturus, which was mothballed early this year after a string of losses.
