The Sunday News
Judith Phiri, Sunday News Reporter
YOUNG miners have been urged to utilise social media to broaden their customer base as online marketing has the benefit of getting a large base of customers.
Speaking during an online Young Miners Foundation Prime Time last week, mining engineer and gemmologist, Engineer Clever Sithole said young miners should adopt the use of social media to broaden their customer base.
“Social media has become a whole new medium for marketing in the luxury goods industry. Online marketing has many benefits and so if a broader target audience is desired, this can also be achieved by anyone,” said Eng Sithole.
He said some of the benefits of online marketing include versatility that it can be modified or updated with new information quickly. It is also cheap compared to other communications methods. Also young miners get the benefit of being able to take customer segmentation to very specific levels, with some companies investing in targeted campaigns that specialise in personalisation to the individual.
Eng Sithole also noted that there are key considerations that young miners should keep in mind when venturing into gemstones economic consideration and trade.
“The value of gemstones lies in one’s ability to accurately analyse the four (4) Cs which are colour, clarity, cut and carat weight. Also, technical experience and judgment is a critical requirement for valuation of gemstones. As young miners you should also keep in mind that training in gemology is of importance. Also stimulating consumers to appreciate gemstones is important. Lastly, consistent production of gemstones in a particular location/ source is required to establish an accurate profile,” he said.
Another presenter, chief executive officer and founder of 26 Jewels Private Limited Zimbabwe, Miss Lynne Madongorere emphasised the importance of value addition of gems and gold to young miners.
In her presentation, a geo technician and small-scale miner, Miss Kelly Sibanda highlighted that there are numerous greenstone belts and the Great Dyke that could be exploited in the country. Some of these include Midlands greenstone, Harare-Shamva greenstone, Masvingo-Mashava greenstone, Mutare greenstone, Bulawayo-Bubi greenstone, Beatrice greenstone belts among others. The Great Dyke has estimated reserves of chromite amounting 10 000 tonnes.
