Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
THE Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe has intensified efforts to transform the country’s gemstone industry into a major contributor to the mining sector by promoting value addition, skills development and local beneficiation.
As part of the initiative, MMCZ has partnered the Women in Gemstones Association of Zimbabwe (WIGAZ) to facilitate advanced gemstone cutting and polishing training for 28 Zimbabwean women miners in Ndola, Zambia. The 28 graduated last Friday at a colourful event.
The programme formed part of the Government’s broader drive to ensure that Zimbabwe exports value-added mineral products rather than raw gemstones, enabling miners to earn higher returns while creating jobs and strengthening local industries.
MMCZ is also pursuing plans to establish a national gemstone value addition and training centre that will equip miners with lapidary skills and provide services such as gemstone identification, certification, marketing support, and business incubation.
Industry estimates indicate that, with increased formalisation and beneficiation, Zimbabwe’s gemstone sector could generate between US$20 million and US$500 million annually, while creating thousands of jobs.
The greatest opportunity, officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development said, is not only in extracting gemstones but also in processing, certification, jewellery manufacturing and organised marketing—activities that increase the value retained within the country.
MMCZ general manager, Dr Nomusa Jane Moyo, said the Zambia training programme built on the Government’s beneficiation agenda by empowering local miners to process gemstones before export.
“Traditionally, most of our gemstones have been exported in rough form, meaning that much of the value has been realised outside Zimbabwe. By equipping local miners with lapidary skills, we are empowering them to process gemstones locally, improve product quality, access premium markets, and significantly increase their earnings,” she said.
Dr Moyo said the training also laid the foundation for a domestic gemstone cutting, polishing, and jewellery manufacturing industry capable of creating employment and retaining more value within Zimbabwe.
She said the proposed national gemstone value addition and training centre remains part of MMCZ’s long-term vision for developing the industry.
