New shaft boosts How Mine FY21 production
TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO
Production at gold miner, How Mine, surged 59% in 2021 largely due to the miner’s newly completed shaft and improved mining standards, Business Times can report.
Output for the period under review stood at 30 381 ounces, reflecting a 59% increase from what was achieved in 2020.
Speaking during the handover of the ISO 14001:2015 and ISO 9001:2015 certificates, by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ), the managing director of Bulawayo Mining Company, which is the holding company of How Mine, Kimpton Chihota said, the new shaft opened up new mining areas.
“Our gold output increased by 59% compared to the previous year. This improved performance is on the back of a capital injection of US$5m for the shaft sinking project, which opened up new mining areas,” Chihota said.
He said the mine is currently carrying out exploration, both on surface and underground, in order to open up the resource base for expansion.
Chihota said How Mine was committing itself to the highest standards in its operations.
He said the certification demonstrated that the business has reached some of the “highest principles” expected of businesses in the modern world.
“It means that, Bulawayo Mining Company is committing itself to the highest standards in its operations and in its service to the community, and to our country,” Chihota said.
Chihota said How Mine started with the implementation of the ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System which was a commitment to the highest standards in managing and protecting our environment.
The miner also implemented the globally renowned Behaviour Based Safety programme. Resultantly, it recorded a drop in annual injury numbers by 60%.
The SAZ director general, Eve Gadzikwa, said legal and safety requirements were important for safeguarding the organisation.
“This important milestone underlines the determination and commitment of management and staff in safeguarding the health and safety of staff and stakeholders and protecting the environment,” Gadzikwa said.
“With the ever changing legal and safety requirements impinging on cooperatives today, it makes good business sense to ensure that an organisation implements international standards to support every aspect of business.”
