Zandile Sibanda
Business Reporter
SOUTH Africa Limpopo provincial member of the Executive Council for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Ms Pinky Kekana, has said her province must take notes on how Zimbabwe has managed to promote small-scale miners to become active players in the economy.
In an interview last week during the Mine Entra exhibition in Bulawayo, Ms Kekana said the event was more organised and that she was fascinated that small scale miners were taken seriously in Zimbabwe.
“This Mine Entra was well organised. What is fascinating is that small scale miners are being taken seriously in Zimbabwe, as Limpopo Province we have learnt a lesson from Zimbabwe that small scale miners’ contribution is vital in the economy of the country,” she said. 
She said the youths in South Africa must learn from Zimbabwe and start venturing into mining projects.
“Youths in Limpopo Province must learn from Zimbabwe. They must have keen interest in pillars of the economy such as agriculture, mining and manufacturing,” she said.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation president, Mr Trynos Nkomo, said this year’s Mine Entra was a success and an encouragement to small scale miners.
“This year’s Mine Entra is a success and indeed we believe it’s an encouragement to small-scale miners,” he said.  
He said there is need to create synergies that would allow SADC countries to promote one another in terms of mining methods.
“We need to create synergies that would allow countries in the SADC region to promote one another in terms of mining methods and equipment,” he said.
He said the Government should look into promoting small-scale miners through provision of funding.
“We have a situation in Zimbabwe where small-scale miners are surpassing the traditional miners in terms of output. They have produced four tonnes of gold from January to date while the traditional miners have produced two tonnes within the same period, therefore Government should look into promoting small-scale miners by availing finances that  should promote this industry and make it a recognisable and viable sector,” said Mr Nkomo.
He said there is need to demystify the gold trade and focus more on gold production.
“Government should focus more on gold production. We want to have a situation where people will be buying with gold, bank gold and withdraw money, we need to demystify the gold trade,” he said.