Online Reporter
Nyore Madzianike-Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT is taking measures to ensure policies on the export and beneficiation of minerals are implemented in practice and do not remain “talk shows”.
This follows the recent ban on the export of raw minerals and lithium concentrate, as Government moves to promote value addition and beneficiation while firming up mineral development policies.
Responding to questions during the National Assembly’s question-and-answer session on Tuesday, Mines and Mining Development Minister Polite Kambamura said Government was finalising a mining development policy that would soon be implemented.
He said the policies would be translated into practical action.
“Government is taking many measures to make sure that the policies we are putting are not going to be talk shows, but will be transformed into practicality.
“To start with, as I have said, we are currently firming up on mineral development policies. These will speak to beneficiation strategies for each particular mineral,” he said.
Minister Kambamura said Government would also introduce standard operating procedures to guide investors on expectations regarding mineral development and beneficiation.
“Number two, we are also going to be instituting standard operating procedures at the entry level for our investments.
“We have been discussing with ZIDA so that when investors come, they are fully briefed on Government expectations with regard to mineral development and beneficiation.
“We are also going around to check if companies or the industry are complying with Government expectations with regard to mineral value addition and beneficiation,” he said.
Minister Kambamura said the ban on the export of unbeneficiated or partially beneficiated minerals demonstrated that Government was “walking the talk” and wanted beneficiation facilities to be established in the country.
He said the Ministry was also working on a database of minerals that are not yet being beneficiated and exploring ways of adding value to them.
