Story by Tamuka Charakupa
PLAYERS in the mining industry have been directed to take advantage of favourable international markets and increase production in line with the country’s mining targets.
The mining sector has been earmarked to perform better with increased production this year with one of the leading mining companies, the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) revising its output targets to around five comma five million carats this year.
Mines and Mineral Development Minister Honourable Zhemu Soda, who toured the Chiyadzwa diamond mining fields this Wednesday is confident the target is attainable on the back of advanced mining technology adopted at the plant.
“I am impressed given that they are growing in terms of their production size. In 2023 their target has been lower than their targets for this year which is about 5.5 million carats and that’s a great deal in terms of the earnings that they will achieve not only for the mine but for the country and the host communities serviced by the mine.”
Giving an update on the state of the mining industry, Honourable Soda called on players in the sector to take advantage of favourable mineral markets towards increasing output.
“We are price-takers on the international market. Currently, prices are on a nosedive and that is affecting the appetite for expansion, but this is a normal trend in mining where prices at times go up and down so what we are urging miners is to take advantage through improved production where they can maximise on the constant costs and preserve jobs.”
Manicaland Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution; Advocate Misheck Mugadza is impressed by the environmental rehabilitations currently underway in Chiyadzwa and further implored the diamond company to invest in irrigation schemes in the dry region.
“Our community around here is very poor and for a long time, they have been toiling. The Marange area has a poor rainfall pattern and the soils are not the best but with diamonds, everybody is looking for a change of life in this area. People here can do well with programmes like massive irrigation schemes.”
Gold, diamond and lithium mining sectors are being projected as key drivers for overall mining performance this year.
