MPs shocked by news of Buzwagi shutting down at end of year

NEWS that Buzwagi Gold Mine owned by Acacia will close come December this year left members of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy and Minerals in shock yesterday after a tour of the mine 
The mine was discovered in 1950 whereas mining activities in earnest started in 2009 but it is expected to shut down in December because it has run out of gold reserves. 
After arriving at the mine yesterday, members of the committee John Heche, Dustani Kitandula and Ikupa Alex, requested clarification following fears that the mine will shut down and they were briefed that it is indeed true that the mine will close in December.
“News that the mine will shut down shocked us, please tell us the truth about the mine being shut down. Have the employees been informed about the matter so that they can prepare themselves psychologically? Once it shuts down, will the government benefit in any way?” queried Kitandula who is also a Member of Parliament for Mkinga. 
Before the management of the mine could clarify, Dotto Biteko, wanted to know what mark would the mine have left for the people of Kahama that they can be proud of because there are countries which had mines but after they shut down locals were left to languish in poverty.
When clarifying, the manager of the mine Asa Mwaipopo said that after reaching cut three in mining gold, it has become evident that gold reserves are running out but at the moment the mine is expanding mining areas to keep the mine going.
Mwaipopo said that in this year’s strategy they plan to add cut four in the mining of gold and if it will prove futile then that would be the end of mining activities.
He added if cut four fails then they will recycle old rocks to extract gold for two and finally will close the largest mine in the country for good.
He also said that communities around the mine have benefitted in many ways since they have built schools, dispensaries, laboratories, roads and promoted sports.
Mwaipopo said that the management is yet to officially inform employees because by doing so it will likely demoralise them.