5 BARRIERS TO SUCCESS IN SMALL SCALE MINING 2021
Barriers to Success
In Setting up a Small-Medium Scale Mine in 2021
Small scale mining is a big-time contribution to the mining sector and economy. Most players in
this sector have limited technical know-how of the industry and therefore face major barriers in
setting up their operations. This article will discuss 5 common barriers to success in setting up a
small or medium scale mine.

1 LICENSE TO OPERATE
The process of acquiring mining licenses is essentially the first the step in setting up a small scale
mine, and can be done via a variety of methods broadly classified to pegging and/or entering into
agreement on existing claims.

In pegging the integrity of the prospective land has to be verified using desktop and
reconnaissance geological surveys, which are rapid, cheap and therefore easily accessible to small
scale. In addition, the integrity of the application papers has to be checked by an independent
approved prospector when submitting so that the application is compliant with the mining laws.
Ministry of Mines will reject uncompliant applications and this becomes a stumbling block to
prospective small-medium scale mine owners.
In acquiring mining rights via agreement, the owner of the rights has to submit a report with
evidence of mineralization or deposition of prospective mineral. This can be done either by
submitting verifiable mining records (for example Fidelity Printers receipts of gold sale) or a
comprehensive geological report with lab (assay) samples showing results positive for the
prospective mineral. An independent integrity (or due diligence) check of this report will then
lower risk of acquiring a bad prospect.

5 BARRIERS TO SUCCESS IN SMALL SCALE MINING 2021
2 EXPLORATION RISKS
The biggest barrier to success in setting up a small or medium scale mine is failure to intersect the
mineral being prospected for, and this risk in inherent in all projects greenfield or brownfield.
Small scale projects operate from small scale budgets and therefore cannot afford some
exploration methods (e.g diamond drilling) employed by large scale operators. Small scale mines
will also have small scale deposition which require more attention to detail as the structures can
easily be missed out early in an exploration project.
Exploration for small and medium scale mines should focus on getting positive samples whilst
cutting down on total exploration costs. Methods which can be employed in search for positive
samples are outcrop sampling, soil sampling, trench or pit samples and sampling from shafts.
Exploration projects for small scale should essentially focus on narrowing down ‘where to sample’
using cheap methods like geological and geophysical methods.
For underground exploration methods, a small scale mine can resort to sinking a shaft on reef
and collecting samples instead of drilling. This method is convenient for the small-scale miner as
production from shaft sinking can also sustain and grow the project up to a point where more
expensive methods become affordable.

5 BARRIERS TO SUCCESS IN SMALL SCALE MINING 2021
3 OPERATIONAL RISKS
Operations risks arises in executing a small-medium scale mining project and have to do with
both technical and administrative risks. A small scale mine will need a compliment of capable and
experienced mining team to conduct mining activities and oversee the operations. However, when
it comes to effective mine administration, it has to do with more than technical skills and will
require transversal skills (relating to management) in addition to technical capabilities.
Some specialized skills are not affordable for daily hire on small scale operators and therefore the
sector can face challenges caused by lack of professional advice. This challenge can be resolved by
enrolling for mining related training programs and workshops, and engaging a consultant for
period project reviews. Other medium scale operators can opt to have a consultant to set up the
mine and administrate it during the start-up phase before laying down procedures for the
sustenance of the mine after set-up.

5 BARRIERS TO SUCCESS IN SMALL SCALE MINING 2021
4 SECURITY RISKS
The fourth barrier to success has to do with security and loss control which is a big hindrance in
setting up small and medium scale mines. Security risks can arise internally whereby employees
steal from the company or externally for instance via the ill-famed ‘Mashurugwi’ robbers. Many
security options are available for small scale miners including setting up an internal security
department or engaging a private security company. In addition to this, the small-scale mines are
also required by law to set up security structures around high security areas. Security fences
around shafts and plants should come as standard at a mining operation in addition to a lighting
system and 24-hour surveillance.
In addition to a good security strategy, small scale miners are recommended to employ effective
loss control strategies to help minimize leakage of resources from operations. An effective loss
control strategy will involve analyzing loopholes within a system, creating and formulating a
strategy to curb losses, implementing and monitoring, and measuring the progress (in terms of
statistics) of the loss control strategy, making relevant corrections to perfect the system.

5 BARRIERS TO SUCCESS IN SMALL SCALE MINING 2021
5 DISRUPTIONS
Disruptions in small-medium scale mining projects are any events or occasions which negatively
impact production and may arise from various sources. The most common disruptor of production
in small scale mines are the seasonal rains which cause problems with mine accessibility, power
and network interruptions, and mine safety. Small scale mine operators should consider
conducting ground competency surveys and installing relevant mine support structures to avoid
fall of ground during the rainy season which thing may result in fatalities and loss of production
time.
As of 2020, the country has been dealing with the Covid 19 outbreak which is part of a global
pandemic and this has brought challenges of its own. The country has been on lockdown since
March 2020 and recently has revised lockdown level to part 4. Even though small-scale miners are

5 BARRIERS TO SUCCESS IN SMALL SCALE MINING 2021
exempted in part 4 lockdown, the Covid 19 pandemic will have adverse effects on mining
including shift of metal prices, disruptions in mining supplies and services which ultimately may
lead to lower productivity. Small-scale miners however, can deal with these challenges through
long term planning and procurement, and exercising health precautions on site.
Our Solutions

Golden Glance helps new small-medium scale operators overcome these barriers and successfully
set up their projects by offering a wide range of cost optimized and innovative geological and
mining solutions. Contact us today on call or whatsapp (+263712704400), or visit our website
www.goldenglance.co.zw today for enquiries.