Story by Courage Bushe.
GOVERNMENT has offered mining companies in Shurugwi a partnership in the wake of calls for more resources towards infrastructure development.
It has emerged that Zimbabwe’s mining industry has immense potential to drive socio-economic development and growth of the economy, underpinned by strategies designed to transform the sector into a US$12 billion mining economy.
At a mining symposium held in Shurugwi this Friday, mining firms operating in the mineral rich district of Shurugwi pledged to contribute significantly to the growth of the district in partnership with the government.
“We are happy that we managed to meet as miners and local leadership discussing issues that are affecting our operations and also the growth of this district. Solutions have been proffered and we are hopeful of a better Shurugwi,” said a miner.
Another said, “We commend our leadership because this is the first time to have investors, government departments, miners and traditional leaders meeting discussing things that will leave a lasting legacy to the people of Shurugwi.
Shurugwi-based legislators Honourable Wilson Mhuri and Honourable Joseph Mupasi highlighted the importance of the symposium towards the development of the area and the attainment of vision 2030.
“This is one of the underpinnings of NDS1 and having such meetings will help us and the community to remind these firms the importance of developing Shurugwi whilst engaging into sustainable mining activities,” said Honourable Mhuri.
“As leadership, we noticed that Shurugwi is lagging behind in terms of development hence the importance of engaging these miners. They are benefiting from the resources we have and its important also for our community to benefit from these resources,” Honourable Mupasi weighed in.
Mining firms commended the government for creating an enabling and conducive environment that has seen positive development in the mining industry.
