Workers at Sabi Gold Mine in Zvishavane, Midlands Province, reportedly went on a prolonged drinking and partying spree after Kudakwashe Tagwirei, a controversial businessman considered one of Zimbabwe’s richest persons, took over the mine and paid salary backlogs to workers.
According to Masvingo Mirror, Chandiwana Mining Corporation, the previous owners of Sabi Gold Mine had a salaries backlog of US$2.8m.
The publication, however, could not establish how much each worker got but the employees received their back-pay in United States dollars.
Masvingo Mirror cited its source as saying the mine is now producing between 5 and 7kg of gold in three days.
Sabi Mine was owned by the Zimbabwe Mining Development Company and it has until three weeks ago been operating under Chandiwana Mining Corporation.
The publication said it could not immediately get a comment from Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando.