Story by Stanley James
GOVERNMENT says it is taking the lead in ensuring Zimbabwe maximises benefits from its mineral resources following Cabinet’s approval of the Mineral Value Chain Framework.
Presenting this week’s Post-Cabinet Media Briefing in Harare on Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, outlined the roadmap for implementing the country’s mineral beneficiation strategy.
“Cabinet has adopted a robust framework aimed at transitioning Zimbabwe from a primary resource extraction and exportation entity to a globally competitive mineral-based industrial manufacturing hub. The framework seeks inter alia to protect the national interest by closing leakages that have perennially prejudiced the country of huge earnings s from its vast mineral wealth. The framework is anchored on four pillars, Mineral, Specific Architecture and Mandatory Standards which seeks out legally binding mining processing standards, it specifies the new mandatory requirements for a Value Added Compliance Certificate for any export permits to be issued.
“Number 2 is the National Minerals Research and Analytical Scientific Laboratory Infrastructure Pillar under which Government will end the costly and risky reliance on foreign laboratories for mineral certification there is the Mine to Market Operational System Pillar that will also focus on smart tracking of mineral exports to secure value by preventing leakages and fraud through the adoption of a secure and real time “ mine to market” smart corridor, and an Integrated Special Economic Zones Pillar under which the country’s Integrated Special Economic Zones Pillar shall support both new and existing centres, new investors will be directed to specialised regional hubs such as the Northern Battery Minerals or Midlands Metallurgical Zones where they can share infrastructure and scale operational efficiency,” he said.
A Public Service Job Evaluation roadmap was also presented.
“Following the adoption of the Public Services Commission Job Evaluation Exercise by cabinet on 10 September 2024, the following milestones have since been achieved: Job Evaluation Exercise for Independent Commissions and Grant Aided institutions, Uniformed Forces Sector, Health Services Sector, Higher and Tertiary Education Sector and Foreign Mission have been completed,” Dr Soda said.
Preparations for the 46th independence anniversary celebrations and children’s party are on course.
“Preparations for the 2026 Independence day Celebrations, the Children’s Party and legacy infrastructure projects area well advanced, with most expected to be completed prior to the celebrations, key construction activities at the main arena, the stadium and access roads are on schedule to be completed by April 15 2026, the construction of major access roads including Bulawayo-Maphisa and Gwanda-Maphisa is ongoing and targeted for completion by August 2026, in the interim measures will be taken to ensure these roads area trafficable and detours are closed in time for the event,” Dr Soda said.
Amendments to the Geographic Indications Act, an update on the tour of economic flagship projects in Manicaland, including an update on the 100 Day Cycle projects across the country, are some of the takeaways of this Tuesday’s cabinet meeting.
