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Fungai Lupande Mash Central Bureau
Zimbabwe is inching closer to the attainment of a US$12 billion mining industry by 2030 through a cocktail of unprecedented measures being implemented by the Second Republic.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said this yesterday during the launch in Bindura of new mine maps for provinces to curb over pegging and double allocation of mining claims.
Minister Chitando toured Freda Rebecca Mine’s gold processing operations and expressed appreciation to the mine for achieving a significant 300kg gold production a month, which he said was key in achieving the 100 tonnes per annum national target.
“The President came up with a vision for Zimbabwe to become an upper middle income economy by 2030. This means that the average income per capita of the population should reach middle income by 2030. All the countries who achieved higher middle income status did not achieve this overnight. It was a journey where the leadership set themselves on structured economies to achieve that status,” he said.
Minister Chitando said the level of economic activities taking place in the country in all sectors of the economy was unprecedented.
“In response to the President’s 2030 Vision, the mining sector came up with a US$12 billion mining industry milestone from a base of US$2,7 billion. This dream seemed unachievable and unbelievable, but we are poised to achieve a $12 billion mining industry.
“This entailed increased issuance of mining claims and their administration. Traditionally, we used to issue around 2 500 mining titles per annum. With the coming of the Second Republic, there is a massive appetite to invest in the mining industry,” said Minister Chitando.
Minister Chitando said Freda Rebecca Mine was a key player in the achievement of the annual national gold production target.
Freda Rebecca Mine managing director Mr Eliakem Hove said their plan was to continue operating at an average of 280kg per month for the next five years.
“We achieved a record breaking 300kg in June, but the plant capacity is 280kg per month. To achieve this, we are constructing Mill 3 and increasing tankage of the process,” he said.
Online Reporter