Kwekwe gold miner ramps up production

A KWEKWE-based gold mining and processing company, Vigilant Resources, has embarked on an upgrade exercise aimed at boosting production and contributing towards the attainment of a US$12 billion mining industry by 2023.
Government set an ambitious target for a US$4 billion gold industry by 2023 and insists this is achievable riding on increased production by established companies and small- scale miners.

Speaking during a tree planting event at the company’s plant in Kwekwe recently, corporate affairs manager Ms Kudzai Chifamba said they were working on constructing more gold processing plants.

“We are currently in the process of another floatation and a cyanide plant as we seek to increase production in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 and that of attaining a US$4 billion gold industry,” said Ms Chifamba.

The company, previously owned by a Chinese firm, Ming Chang, was taken over by the current owners early this year and has a capacity to produce 30kg of gold per month.

“When we took over the company, we wanted it to be wholly owned by locals so we were glad when chance presented itself and we took over the company,” she said.

“We are, therefore, in the process of upgrading and installing more equipment for use so that we enhance production to about 40kgs per month.”

Ms Chifamba said through partnerships, Government’s US$12 billion milestone target was achievable.

Besides mining, Vigilant Resources also processes gold for other small-scale miners in the community and this contributes to downstream value chain business growth.

“No one has everything he needs for the business. So, at Vigilant we believe in partnerships. We support the small-scale miners and they also support us one way or the other and that way we can achieve,” said Ms Chifamba.

“In line with Government’s move to curb deforestation, Vigilant Resources has also embarked on an exercise where the company supplies trees for planting to schools, police and other miners around.

“We are very passionate about climate change and we are aware that cutting down of trees is one way to exacerbate climate change. We are, therefore, raising awareness to other miners on the dangers of cutting down trees and galley reclamation among others.”

On the day, about 60 trees were distributed to schools, police details and neighbouring miners.- The Chronicle