dyton mupawaenda
Mukudzei Chingwere-Herald Reporter
Mining companies and investors in general must tailor investments to foster sustainable economic benefits for people in areas of their business operations, Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga said yesterday when Pickstone Peerless Mine underground operations were commissioned by President Mnangagwa in Chegutu.
This would include hiring labour from the surrounding communities and directing corporate social investment into these communities.
VP Chiwenga said the upgrade at Pickstone Peerless Mine was a testament of the work done by President Mnangagwa and the Second Republic in rejuvenating the mining sector towards an empowered upper-middle income economy by 2030. Such investments should answer to the economic needs of the populace through employment creation and high-impact and sustainable corporate social investment.
Part of the infrastructure at Pickstone Peerless Mine in Chegutu. — Picture: Justin Mutenda.
“You are well aware that the President has made it clear that investment in all sectors of the economy, including mining, should mutually benefit the people of Zimbabwe,” said VP Chiwenga.
“Therefore, the locals need to be prioritised in employment opportunities that arise at the Pickstone Peerless Mine. I urge the mine management to uphold their ethical corporate social responsibilities to the Chegutu community.
“I am pleased to reiterate that the Government remains committed to ensuring that mining companies practice sustainable and responsible operations which are friendly to the environment.
“The Second Republic will continue to improve the ease of doing business through creating a stable and conducive macro-economic environment for a private sector driven economic growth.
“To that end the Government is prioritising enhanced investments in exploration, opening of new mines, beneficiation and value addition of minerals as well as expansion of existing mining projects,” said VP Chiwenga.
He said it was gratifying that President Mnangagwa had committed, through the National Development Strategy 1, to increase the number of gold centres to cater to the eight mining districts in the country.
This would improve efficiencies in the value addition and beneficiation of gold which was a critical mineral in leapfrogging the economy towards Vision 2030.
Online Reporter