Story by Davison Vandira
THE mining sector has welcomed the ban on exports of all unprocessed mineral ores saying they are willing to work with the government on beneficiation to enhance the country’s revenue and create more jobs.
Zimbabwe boasts of several high-value base minerals that include the well-sought-after Lithium, Ferrochrome, Nickel and Copper hence stakeholders in the industry are now synchronising their operations in line with the latest policy shift that prohibits the export of raw ores.
Players in the mining sector who graced an indaba held in Harare this Thursday pledged to overcome the technological gap by partnering with external investors who have the know-how to establish a viable mining industry underpinned by value addition and beneficiation.
President of Zimbabwe Miners Federation Ms Henrietta Rushwaya noted, ‘‘This workshop was facilitated so that we can exchange notes on how to align with the latest policy and I am glad that we have resolved to support the government in its endeavours to fully benefit from the country’s mineral resources financially or otherwise.’’
For the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) and the government, enhancing the country’s mineral value-addition capacity is in line with Vision 2030 and should be expedited.
General Manager of Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, Mr Tongai Muzenda said, ‘‘As the arm concerned with the marketing of the country’s minerals we are happy with what the authorities are advocating and we are pushing for investment in modern technology and the right innovation to undertake necessary development in the sector.’’
Minister of Mines and Mining Development Honourable Winston Chitando noted, ‘‘Over the years the country has lost precious minerals through exportation of raw ores with low value at the expense of the economy and as a country, we have taken a stance to increase the value gained from our minerals.’’
The march towards the realisation of the US$12 billion mining industry is well on course and is expected to materialise by the end of this year.
