Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
SWEDEN-based firms have expressed interest in setting up mining projects in Zimbabwe driven by vast opportunities and favourable incentives offered by the Second Republic.
The Swedish – Zimbabwean Sustainability in Mining Expo held in Harare this Friday saw companies from the European Union trading bloc expressing keen interest in Zimbabwe’s industry.
“The Swedish delegation is in Zimbabwe and its mission is to look at the prospects of mining in Zimbabwe,” Sweden’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director General, Ms Camilla Mellander said.
“This Thursday I visited Zimplats and observed that over 60 % of machinery in use there is from Sweden. Our country has all that it takes in terms of mining equipment implying the existing cooperation will also positively affect Zimbabwe. The key issue is how sustainable mining practices are vital to the growth of Zimbabwe’s mining sector in the short to long term.
“The main issue is how Sweden can take a cue from the mining boom in Zimbabwe, remember our country is entirely dominated by mining projects an element that becomes crucial in terms of creating synergies with Zimbabwe in the mining value chains,”
Zimbabwe is committed to further collaborating with Sweden in mining projects.
“We are really excited to have the presence of this delegation in Zimbabwe, it’s a true reflection of what we are doing as government in facilitating increased inflows of external projects, it is also a reflection of how the ties between Zimbabwe and Sweden are being reinforced so there are here to further scout more opportunities in the resource extraction sector which is riding on massive growth credit to several interventions by the Government,” Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Sweden, the Nordics and Baltics, Priscilla Misihairabwi said.
“Zimbabwe possess a wealth of mineral resources and the mining industry is expected to play a vital role towards the attainment of vision 2030. However we recognise the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental mining best practices so their presence is very vital in further enhancing the existing ties and focus on long term deliverables,” the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Honourable Winston Chitando said.
The Swedish- Zimbabwean Sustainability in Mining Expo is aimed at showcasing Swedish technologies and innovations that can be used to promote sustainable mining practices in Zimbabwe.
It also seeks to facilitate an opportunity for the exchange of ideas between mining representatives from the two countries.
The Expo is being held when Zimbabwe is forging ahead with the engagement and reengagement agenda with global economies.
Several Swedish based mining companies have also come to Zimbabwe with a view of exploring vast business and mining opportunities.
