Pretty Manyewe
When President Mnangagwa came into power, he was clear that among his priorities was the development of the mining sector.
His appointment of Winston Chitando, a mining executive to the role of Minister of Mines and Mining Development was the first statement of intent.
He wanted someone with a nuanced understanding of what the sector needs.
The appointment has turned out to be one of the unheralded masterstrokes of the new dispensation.
Recently, Nico Muller, CEO of Implats, had praise for Zimbabwe, describing the country as one of the group`s best investment jurisdictions.
“From a group perspective, I’d have to say Zimbabwe has been our best jurisdiction in which to operate over the past 20 years. It’s the jurisdiction in which, thanks to the leadership of Alex (CEO Mhembere) and his team, we have the least amount of disruptions, we have had the most predictable production profile,” Muller told a recent mining conference in South Africa.
He added; “We also have our safest operations, (and) the best control over costs, and our projects there are always on schedule.”
This was followed by an investment by Rio-Zim who unveiled a massive project that is set to propel the country’s accelerated efforts towards a USD$12 billion mining sector by year 2023.
The project, which was commissioned by His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, is a USD$35 million investment which comprises of a Cam and Motor Mine Biological Oxidation Plant (BIOX) and Floatation Plant.
President Mnangagwa, while addressing the gathering at the commissioning ceremony, acknowledged that the project was a landmark and one that gives impetus to the realisation of a mining and mineral development ecosystem that will help accelerate effort towards a USD$12 billion mining sector by 2023.
“I applaud the Rio-Zim Group for this impactful project which will increase gold production and also enable high recoveries of gold from refractory sulphide resources abundant in the Midlands region. This project is set to produce 1.4 tonnes of gold by year end with a monthly target of 200 kilograms being anticipated in 2023.”
“It is pleasing to note that the Cam and Motor Mine project will open up employment opportunities for artisans and operators manning various stages of the process. The local community is urged to take advantage of the multiplier effects of this investment through the creation of value chain linkages for the development, modernization and a higher quality of life for the people,” said President Mnangagwa.
The Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development promised to continue working closely with the sector to ensure there are smooth operations.
The President ended his address by assuring investors that his Government will continue to provide the requisite business environment for win-win benefits in line with the “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra.
The local mining industry is growing in leaps and bounds as shown by the growth in gold deliveries.
Nothing is by coincidence, these are outcomes of a deliberate strategy by the second republic to grow the sector to a 12 billion dollar industry by 2023.
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