Ministry of Mines espouses 10-Point Plan

Herald Reporter
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has put value addition and beneficiation at the centre of its operations as part of implementing the 10-Point Plan recently enunciated by President Mugabe.

President Mugabe laid down the 10-Point Plan in the State of the Nation Address in Parliament where he outlined the political direction for all ministries in line with Zim-Asset targets.

Secretary for Mines and Mining Development Professor Francis Gudyanga told The Herald yesterday that they would soon send a delegation to China for training in diamond cutting and polishing. “We are promoting beneficiation and value addition starting with diamonds,” he said.

“With regards to platinum, we are encouraging companies to set up a refinery. As for chrome, we have temporarily lifted the ban on exports to raise money for a smelter.” Prof Gudyanga said they would make a major announcement tomorrow on the export modalities.

He said the consolidation of diamond companies into one company was in progress. “The extraordinary general meetings we are having with diamond companies are still under way,” said Prof Gudyanga. Several other ministries have also hit the ground running, outlining mega projects they intend to implement in line with the 10-point economic growth plan.

The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has rolled out a housing scheme targeting 313 000 units by 2018 under the plan and as part of Zim-Asset targets. The 10-point growth plan gives ministries political direction in line with the country’s economic blueprint.

Public Works and National Housing fall under point number three on the 10-Point plan and the Ministry’s secretary Engineer George Mlilo has said his ministry takes the 10-Point Plan seriously. He said 30 000 housing units had already been constructed in line with Zim-Asset and the 10-Point Plan.

Information, Media and Broadcasting Services and Information, Communication and Technology ministries have also rolled out capital projects that are expected to transform the country’s communication sector.

The Transport and Infrastructural Development Ministry has joined the fray with capital projects that include completion of the Walves Bay dry port construction in Namibia.