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[QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 23362, member: 2262"]
The government has no plans to ban small-scale mining, a top official said. Some media reports wrongly claimed the government would stop this type of mining. But Deputy Minister Dr. Polite Kambamura said this is not true.

Dr. Kambamura explained that small-scale miners play a big role in Zimbabwe's mining industry. The government values their work and contributions, especially in gold mining. It would not make sense to ban their activities.

The Deputy Minister had simply warned miners to be careful. He advised pausing underground work during heavy rains. Wet weather can make mining more risky, and shafts may flood or collapse.

Last week, a mining shaft caved in due to rain. Three miners were trapped inside. In 2019, flooding killed 24 small-scale miners. Dr. Kambamura wants to prevent more tragedies like these.

He suggested miners wait until the rainy season passes and go back underground only when it's safer. But there is no permanent ban in place.

A top ministry official, Mr. Pfungwa Kunaka, echoed this view. He said the government deeply appreciates small-scale gold miners. The cautionary statement aimed to protect them in dangerous weather. It does not reflect any change in policy.

The government remains committed to supporting this key part of the mining sector. With the right safety measures, small-scale mining will continue to thrive in Zimbabwe.
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