adminshare of mineral wealth that can easily be used to transform the semi-arid district.
There is a couple of statistics that suggest that Buhera is a leader — at least in a semi-precious way — as it is home to a number of semi-precious minerals such as emerald, beryl, vermiculite and scheelite.
In 2007, though, there was a rush into the area as word got round that diamonds had been discovered, only for people to be told that the magnificent stones that had been found were of the semi-precious genus.
Buhera, at Dorowa, is the country’s only producer of phosphates, critical for the manufacture of fertiliser.
Buhera produces lithium, the raw material for components in batteries, cellphones, airplane parts, focal lenses and rocket propellants.
Scheelite is the main source of tungsten used in the manufacture of light bulb filaments and electronic tubes.
It can also be used as a gemstone where it is referred to as the “Stone of Past Time” and cutters claim that it has healing properties.
Beryllium is used in the manufacture of nuclear reactors, automotive and electronic parts, undersea cables and pipes for gas and oil industry.
Tantalite is used in alloys for strength and higher melting points, in glass to increase the index of refraction, and in surgical steel, as it is non-reactive and non-irritating to body tissues.
Buhera is the world’s biggest producer of vermiculite, which is mined at Shawa and Dinhidza mines.
According to the Imerys Vermiculite, the Australian-based owners of Shawa Mine, vermiculite is used in the construction, agricultural, horticultural and industrial markets.
“I think there is more under these mountains,” avers one Buhera native who owns gold claims in Kadoma.
“With increased exploration and prospecting more can be found,” he said.
This is a growing sense in the area.
For Chief Magaya Gunguwo Chitsunge the trick lies in the Government programme of indigenisation and the companies operating in the area to invest in the society.
“It is important for us to take control of the mines in our area.
“For over 100 years we were prejudiced but now Government has showed us the way to unlock value from products within our locality,” he said.
He complained that mines in the area have traditionally been employing outsiders to the detriment of locals.
He added: “Our land has been degraded but we have not seen the benefits. These mines do not even recognise me as the traditional leader of the area.”
Chief Chitsunge chairs the Buhera cluster on indigenisation set up in December last year. Although it is still to start work it has grand plans aimed at bringing wealth to the people under the indigenisation and empowerment programme.
He says should the community participate in the administration and running of mines and other resources in the area, it should see the construction of dams,
schools, electricity, irrigation schemes and other developmental projects for the benefit of the community.
There is also another benefit in indigenisation.
Said the traditional leader: “I urge Government to go ahead with the programme because it empowers youths to stay within their areas and not go outside and develop other people’s work.”
A young villager, Raymond Gidi, of Tizvione village said indigenisation held a lot of promise for the community.
The 19-year-old said young people of his generation would have the chance to work in the mines, which stations had been filled by outside.
Empowerment lobby, the Affirmative Action Group, is also eyeing Buhera’s potential.
The Buhera chapter of the group says its mandate is to promote trade and investment in the District of Buhera through the indigenisation programme under the theme “Bringing the World into Buhera”.
This theme was born out of the realisation that despite being endowed with mineral resources and being home to the Matendera Ruins among others, Buhera is currently ranked amongst the poorest districts in Zimbabwe.
It also says: “It is noteworthy that there is widespread condemnation of the aforementioned mines in Buhera. These mines are accused of failing to add value to the district in terms of community development projects such as infrastructure development and other development projects.
“There is widespread condemnation of Dorowa Mine and Shawa Mine by the district. The two mines are accused of failing to substantially uplift the livelihood of the district in terms of community development projects i.e. repairing the road network system amongst others development projects.”
The group identifies the following opportunities in the mining sector:
- Creation of a Community Development Share Trust;
- Equity share schemes for employees in Dorowa, Shawa and Dinidza;
- Joint ventures in the exploitation of minerals such as tantalite, phosphate and vermiculite.
The 100 percent Zimbabwe-owned Dorowa Mine has provided amenities such as a school and a clinic.
On their website, Australian owners of Shawa Mine, line up some activities they have done for Buhera.
They say: “The community in which Shawa operates is very poor. The levies and taxes collected by the local authorities are insufficient to finance development projects in the area, so the mine has been actively involved in the upgrading of access roads.
“The mine has also participated in the building of a nearby bridge, and provides support materials to local schools.
“A new borehole has been established, with some of the water being piped for use on the local orchard and vegetable garden, to insure some security of food supply. The mine participates in community, home-based programmes that feed orphans of the Aids pandemic.”
Not many of Buhera residents have felt the impact of these interventions, where they have existed, and they are generally hopeful for better days.
Dinhidza Mine has not been operational until in the last two months.
Member of Parliament for Buhera and businessman William Mutomba is not a very satisfied man.
He says companies in the area, including Dorowa, have not been forthcoming in terms of developing the area.
“It is sad,” he told The Herald.
“There is negligence in the area of social responsibility and the companies have not been involved in major projects except occasionally providing fuel for the patching of roads.
“They say they do not have motorised graders and cannot habilitate roads themselves. Even if Dorowa claims to have built a clinic, it is for the mine not the community.
“Development must go to the people whose areas have been degraded by the activities of these companies,” he said.
Mr Mutomba clarified that people in Buhera had applied for stake in local mines in line with the indigenisation and empowerment drive but at the moment the programme is mainly under the compliance phase as companies are still bringing their offers to the table.
He said he has tried to engage Shawa Mine without success as the directors are out of the country.
Online Reporter