By Shadreck Gurenje
The mining sector has taken heed of the Second Republic’s call of taking beneficiation and value addition on board as the nation accelerate towards the realisation of vision 2030. In contributing to Vision 2030, the Mining Sector has set its targets to grow the mining sector to a USD12 Billion industry. The major minerals to lead growth of the mining sector include gold, platinum, diamonds, coal and hydrocarbons, chrome and lithium.
Responsible Mining Initiative launched under the Second Republic has prioritised environmental matters and scaled up the protection of local natural ecosystems and resources for both present and future generations. In dealing with malpractices and land degradation among other vices in the mining sector government last year introduced the Responsible Mining Initiative. The programme is an indispensable undertaken by government in its quest to exercise good stewardship over the country’s natural resources. To ensure compliance audit will be conducted countrywide covering the mining sector value chain.
The development is in sync with the ZANU PF government focus on mineral value addition and beneficiation towards propelling the multi-faceted growth of the economy. Zimbabwe equally remain alive to the broader strategic responsibility to supply vital resources to a vast number of global industries, for shared prosperity. Under the leadership of President Emmerson Mnangagwa mining entities have been challenged to adopt innovations in technology and the establishment of green mining practices. The head of State and government also encouraged research and innovations on how to minimise waste production and lower greenhouse gas emissions while processing minerals.
Last year the ZANU PF Government call for beneficiation and value addition of lithium ores by investing over US$ 300 million into the various stages of the project. This has contributed to the realisation of the nation’s target of attaining a US$12 billion mining economy. The milestone represents part of Government’s efforts to consolidate its position as a regional and global hub for lithium mining and related industries.
Its therefore imperative for mining players to embrace various initiatives being ushered in under the Second Republic chief among them Responsible Mining Initiative , the mining cadastre system ,the gold mobilisation blitz so as to secure a better future for generations to come.
The Mining Cadastre system provides an e-Government platform for all stakeholders in the mineral sector to engage directly with the mining commissioners who issue mining certificates. The Portal aims to ensure international standards of transparency with an emphasis on improving the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe. The Gold Mobilization Blitz is one of the ministry’s strategic plans to increase gold deliveries to Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) contributing to the growth of the mining sector. Thus the economy of Zimbabwe continues on an upward growth trajectory, across all sectors. This has resulted in the need for the expansion and modernisation of our infrastructure to facilitate trade, commerce and the movement of both goods and our people.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reiterated that Government will continue to implement sound policies and entrench a conducive business environment, in support of all sizes of investment for win-win outcomes, as we march towards Vision 2030.
President Mnangagwa also underscored that Zimbabwe’s economy continues to shine under the mining sector which has resulted in a series of landmark projects being commissioned under the Second Republic.
“The economy of Zimbabwe continues on an upward growth trajectory, across all sectors. This has resulted in the need for the expansion and modernisation of our infrastructure to facilitate trade, commerce and the movement of both goods and our people,” said President Mnangagwa.