Tinomuda Chakanyuka
Midlands Correspondent
GOVERNMENT has reiterated its commitment to supporting small and medium scale miners by putting in place policies that promote the sector, as a way of empowering the majority of the country's populace.
This was said by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Obert Mpofu, while officially opening the 87th edition of the Midlands Show yesterday.
Dr Mpofu said small and medium scale miners were the engine of the country's economy and Government would continue to ensure that the sector gets access to requisite enablers through the Mining Industry Loan Fund (MILF).
“Therefore in keeping with the thrust to empower the majority of our people by giving them access to the means of production and ensuring that they get access to enablers such as relevant skills, cheap financing and low interest capital, Government will continue to open up opportunities for small scale mining and procurement of the requisite plant and machinery,” said Dr Mpofu, at the show held under the theme: “Wealth to the People Through Mining, Agriculture and Industry”.
“Government will continue to institute policies to catapult small and medium scale enterprises to prosperity, in view of the fact that they are the engine of economic growth, generation of wealth and an improved quality of life,” Dr Mpofu said.
Dr Mpofu said the country has witnessed a resurgence in mining in the last 12 months with the gold subsector being the leading performer, spurred by activity in small and medium scale mining.
He said in view of the contributions by the small and medium scale miners, Government was strengthening its technical and financial support to the sector.
“Accordingly, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is strengthening its technical and financial support to small and medium scale miners through the Mining Industry Loan Fund,” he said.
Turning to the Midlands Show, Dr Mpofu expressed enthusiasm at the number exhibitors and quality of displays.
His sentiments were echoed by the patron of the Midlands Show Society, the Minister of Defence, Cde Emmerson Munangagwa.
Cde Munangagwa said this year the Midlands Show witnessed an increase in the number of exhibitors in the past decade.
“I am enthused to report that the number of exhibitors has steadily grown from just over a 100 in 2000, 128 in 2011 and the current 142 in 2012,” he said.
Also present at event was Midlands Governor Cde Jason Machaya and his predecessor Dr Cephas Msipa.
The Midlands show kicked off on Friday and ends today.