Chronicle Editor
Walter Mswazie in Zvishavane
PLATINUM mining giant, Mimosa Mine is producing an average 9 000 tonnes of platinum per day as the company continues to ramp up production at its Zvishavane operations.
Speaking during a Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development visit to the mine last week, Mimosa Mine general manager Mr Alex Mushonhiwa said the company has managed to stay within its targets while plans are underway to expand and increase production.
“We are producing about 9 000 tonnes of platinum ore per blast and that relates to a day’s production,” said Mr Mushonhiwa.
He said the company is also expanding its operations to increase the lifespan of the mine.
“We are still doing feasibility studies to increase the life span on our 6, 5 hectares that we are operating on. We are now looking forward to increasing our scope from between 20 and 30 years more,” he said.
He said the secret behind the company’s success was its culture to have the books of accounts audited timely.
“We are a company following international best practice.
Since our inception in 1990, our books have been audited by international auditors after every six months. We follow the recent formula of audit called ISO 45 000, as we always want our activities to be internationally certified,” he said.
Turning to social corporate responsibility, Mr Mushonhiwa said the company has transformed a number of communities in and beyond its jurisdiction.
“Mimosa Mine lives to its corporate social responsibility mandate through infrastructure development, bursaries and improving the health delivery system.
It is in our DNA to give back to the community. We commit at least U$3 million towards corporate social responsibility projects every year.
We have constructed educational institutions, provided medicine to health centres, and refurbished the health infrastructure, among other notable projects.
We are also involved in community gardens where villagers are into horticultural initiatives as we seek to improve livelihoods. We ensure that all non-skilled jobs are reserved for local people and of the 3 000 employees, most of them are from within Zvishavane and Mberengwa,” he said.
Chairman of the committee Cde Edmund Mukaratirwa commended the mine for setting the pace in community responsibility and challenged other corporates to do the same.
“We want to commend Mimosa Mine for its role in empowering communities through supporting education, health, nutrition and contributing to the Gross Domestic Product of the country.
We have been privileged to tour most of their projects, at Zvishavane District
Hospital, in schools and I am made to believe they have also done well for universities,” said Cde Murakatirwa.
“Other companies should follow suit so that development does not only remain the Government’s responsibility.”
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