Midlands Minister lauds mining companies for driving economic recovery

Nobukhosi Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
THE Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in the Midlands Province, Cde Owen Ncube, has lauded mining companies for responding positively to the Second Republic’s development trajectory whose focus is on economic recovery and growth driven by local and private sector.

He said it was encouraging to see companies fulfilling President Mnangagwa’s instructive “nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo” philosophy. Speaking at the tour of Silver Comet Milling Plant in Midlands, Minister Ncube said it was gratifying to note that there were companies that were giving heed to the call by the President and were driving economic growth through expansion of their operations.

“I feel greatly honoured to tour Silver Comet Milling Plant owned by one of our own indigenous miners Mr Ambrose Matune. This underscores the Second Republic’s development trajectory that focuses on economic recovery and growth driven by local and private sector,” he said.

He said the company was contributing significantly towards the USD12 billion mining economy by 2025.

“I am reliably informed that Silverking Mining Company has 147 employees and produces an impressive 500 tonnes of gold ore per month and on average 1kg of gold bullion per month,” he said.

The minister praised Silverking for adhering to the Government’s call for mining entities to sell gold through Fidelity Refiners.

“I would like to commend Silverking for complying with Government’s call for mining entities to sell gold through Fidelity Refiners and contributing to the 27,7% growth recorded in the mining sector,” he said, adding that there were no shortcuts in the mining sector and urged everyone in the mining sector to operate by the book.

“Hammer mills and boilers should be licensed before operations and ensure gold is sent to RBZ through Fidelity Refiners. Illegal owners and buyers of gold are therefore warned against the practice and advised to follow proper procedures,” added Minister Ncube.

The minister also slammed reports of violence in the mining communities in the province which he said was endowed with mineral deposits as it sits on the Great Dyke, saying the reports of violence should not be allowed to persist as they derail the country’s economic progress.

“The violence in mining communities should end, and peace should prevail as it is a key enabler of development as we seek to attain an upper middle-income economy by 2030,” said Minister Ncube.