Miners at Pickstone Peerless Mine embarking on their underground operations
By Edward Makuzva
Pickstone Peerless Mine, located southwest of Harare, has emerged as a pioneering force in the underground mining sector in Zimbabwe. With a history rooted in scattered pits and intermittent production, the mine is now undergoing a significant transition from open pit mining to underground operations.
Recently, the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Honorable Polite Kambamura, visited Pickstone Mine to assess the progress of the transition to underground mining operations. The mine, which has been engaged in open pit mining for the past seven years, is investing in an expansion project to embrace underground mining. The Deputy Minister, a mining engineer himself, donned full mine working gear and immersed himself in the detailed operative sections to gain an informed perspective on the transition.
Honorable Kambamura commended Pickstone Peerless Mine for its contribution to Vision 2030, a national development agenda. He emphasized the importance of opening new mines through intensive exploration and reopening of closed mines, which are key pillars of the Transitional Stabilisation Programme. Pickstone Peerless Mine’s reopening of a closed mine aligns with this vision, as it seized the opportunity presented by changing economic conditions that made the previously low-grade ores economically viable again.
“The Vision 2030 relies on the collective efforts of various sectors within the economy. In the mining sector, our focus is on the establishment of new mines. This can be achieved through extensive exploration and the reopening of previously closed mines, which are key pillars of the Transitional Stabilisation Programme. I am pleased to announce that significant progress has been made in these areas. Pickstone Peerless Mines, for instance, has successfully reopened a mine that was closed in the past. The old mine closed after depleting the high-grade ores they focused on. The low-grade ores that were left as waste or were not economically viable to mine back then are now considered high-grade by current investors. This is due to the increase in gold price and the conducive business environment brought by the Second Republic,” explained the Deputy Minister.
While the transition to underground mining brings promise, there are several challenges that need to be addressed. The safety of miners is a top concern for the Deputy Minister, who is determined to ensure a safe working environment.
Honorable Kambamura and the Ministry are actively exploring solutions. Providing access to capital through grants, loans, or financing initiatives can empower miners to acquire necessary equipment and supplies, as well as hire the required staff. Making technology more accessible through training programs and facilitating access to tools and software can enhance operational efficiency.
Pickstone Peerless Mine’s transition to underground mining stands as a testament to the mine’s determination to adapt and thrive in changing economic conditions. With innovative techniques and technologies, the mine is leading the way in underground mining in Zimbabwe. As the Ministry continues to focus on safety and address the industry’s challenges, Pickstone Peerless Mine has the potential to serve as a model for other mining operations, contributing to the growth and development of the mining sector in the country.
