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The Herald, 5 April, 1984
ZIMBABWE should process and market its minerals as finished products to avoid being exploited by industrialised countries, delegates to a recent mine workers’ seminar have recommended.
“It was resolved that this country was in precarious a position because it depended on exports. The only solution is to be self-reliant and process all our minerals before exporting them,” said the president of the Associated Mine Workers’ Union, Cde Jeffrey Mutandare.
He said the result of selling unprocessed minerals was that the country had to import finished products made from its own raw materials at a higher price.
Setting up processing plants would also create more jobs. Twenty-seven delegates including two from the National Union of Mine Workers’ of South Africa attended the five-day Friedrich Ebert Foundation-sponsored seminar.
“The aim of the leadership seminar was to improve negotiation skills of national executives and to discuss the mechanics of worker participation in a socialist and capitalist economy.”
Closing the seminar on Friday, the Deputy Minister of Mines, Cde Chimbidzayi Sanyangare, said: “Effective communication entails thorough understanding of Government policies and practices so that both parties (workforce and management) are fully aware of their responsibilities.”
LESSONS FOR TODAY
- Minerals are a very good source of wealth but they are not very profitable when they are in their raw form.
- Adding value to minerals does not only increase their worth, it also creates additional jobs in the country.
- When prospective investors come on board, it is essential that they are compelled to include a component of value addition in their plans. This is what the Government has been doing in terms of minerals such as lithium.
Online Reporter