Vusumuzi Dube
Judith Phiri, Features Reporter
Players in the mining sector have said they treasure Heroes and Defence Forces days as the holidays honour heroes who brought economic emancipation of the indigenous people who are now able to participate in different sectors of the economy.
Zimbabwe celebrates Heroes Day on Monday, August 14 and Defence Forces Day the following day on Tuesday, August 15. Heroes Day is a public holiday set aside on the second Monday of August every year to celebrate Zimbabwe’s gallant heroes and heroines both living and departed who fought the liberation war to free the country from the yoke of white settler rule.
Defence Forces Day is marked in honour of the restive efforts by the country’s defence forces in ensuring that peace and tranquility prevail in the country.
In an interview, Ministry of Mines and Mining Development Permanent Secretary, Mr Pfungwa Kunaka said, “As a Ministry, we obviously pay tribute to veterans of the liberation struggle, both the departed and the living for the gallant fight against colonisers who had deprived our people of participating and benefitting from our God-given mineral wealth. We highly appreciate the position of the Second Republic that has pronounced participation of our people in mining by opening up land for mining,” said Mr Kunaka.
He said as the country celebrates the sacrifices of the liberators next month, they call upon the mining fraternity to undertake their mining ventures responsibly and sustainably in compliance with the law for the sake of future generations.
“The mining industry has registered significant strides towards realising the ambitious US$12 billion milestone by the end of this year. Let us all remain committed to growing the mining industry in pursuit of Vision 2030.”
In 2019, President Mnangagwa launched the US$12 billion mining industry roadmap where gold is expected to contribute US$4 billion, platinum US$3 billion while chrome, iron, steel, diamonds and coal will contribute US$1 billion each. Lithium is expected to contribute US$500 million while other minerals contribute US$1,5 billion.
In 2018, the mining sector was generating US$2,8 billion, but the revival of dormant mines, opening of greenfield projects and investments from countries such as China, have driven the mining sector towards the US$12 billion target by year-end.
Zimbabwe Institute of Foundries (ZIF) chief operations officer (COO), Mr Dosman Mangisi said independence through the liberation struggle brought about a liberated economy in Zimbabwe.
“When looking at sectors such as metal casting, it was one of the most sensitive industries which were only owned by the colonialist white people and not even a single black person. But due to independence, from around the year 2000, we slowly began to see a number of black people starting to occupy this industry,” said Mr Mangisi.
He said the land reform was also an eye-opener that opened a lot of opportunities for the indigenous people to participate in mining as the country boasts of a number of minerals such as gold, chrome, lithium and base minerals among others. Mr Mangisi said value addition and beneficiation of minerals is critical for the development of the country.
“Value addition and beneficiation of metals are critical as we can manufacture a number of things such as cars, machinery and airplanes among other things. This is the way forward we should look at as we continue to enjoy independence in our country. It will also open up more avenues so that we become the giant of Africa,” added Mr Mangisi.
He said as the country celebrates Heroes and Defence Forces Day next month, people should enjoy the fruits of empowerment that are open to every Zimbabwean. Young Miners Foundation (YMF) chief executive officer (CEO) Mr Payne Kupfuwa said as youths in mining, the two days meant a lot to them.
“We are a product of the sacrifices that were made for the country to attain independence. The sacrifices that our forefathers and foremothers, as well as fathers and mothers made during the liberation struggle go a long way in as far as giving us an opportunity to establish ourselves. Now we are into more meaningful professional, formalised and environmentally friendly mining enterprises because we are operating in a free and safe environment. We are now operating and free to participate in the mainstream economy of our country which we could not do when our country was still under the yoke of the colonialists.”
He said young people were running mining businesses and enterprises that are giving them livelihoods and creating employment as they were being empowered due to the attainment of independence.
“We are getting access to mining rights, claims to peg and finance. We are also registering mines and companies as well as doing business in the value chain in terms of services and consultancy as the Government initiatives under the Second Republic are also targeting the youths.”
Mr Kupfuwa said as youths in mining, they also cherish the Defence Forces who have ensured peace prevails in the country as they enjoy safe working environments knowing that they are protected.
He said as YMF, they were pushing for formalised and professional approaches to mining activities in the country that were critical for economic development in line with Vision 2030 of an upper-middle-income and prosperous economy.
“We also have activities lined up for the important days as young miners as we join the rest of the nation in celebrating Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day.”
YMF member, Ms Hlengiwe Mpofu who has mining operations in Plumtree and Kezi said Zimbabwe, just like any other country, has seen a number of women joining the mining sector and breaking barriers in the male-dominated sector, as a number of empowerment initiatives are also targeted towards them.
She said young miners especially women have received a number of trainings, financial assistance and machinery for their operations to grow as they increase their production. Women make up 11 to 15 percent of the estimated 50 000 small-scale miners in Zimbabwe as the mining sector is one of the economic mainstays of the country.
The sector continues to witness a number of signature projects that are contributing to the growth of the industry. Under the Second Republic, President Mnangagwa’s declaration that Zimbabwe is “Open for Business” and foreign policy anchored by the mantra, “friend to all and enemy to none” through engagement and re-engagement, have seen both policies bearing fruit as investors flock into the country attracted by the ease of doing business and an investor-friendly environment.
Last year, President Mnangagwa commissioned the US$130 million Sabi Star Lithium Mine in Buhera, which is expected to produce 300 000 tonnes of the mineral a year while creating 900 jobs. Other investments that came on board this year include the Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe project in Goromonzi near Harare, as well as the Zulu Lithium project in Insiza District, Matabeleland South province, by Premier African Minerals.
In December 2022, Karo Mining Holdings commenced operations on its US$4,2 billion platinum project in Mhondoro, Mashonaland West province while in October last year, the President broke ground at the US$1,5 billion steel plant in Manhize near Mvuma, where Dinson Iron and Steel Company – a subsidiary of China’s largest stainless steel producer, Tsingshan Holdings Group Limited – is building Africa’s biggest integrated steelworks.
In the chrome sector, smelting projects by Jinan Mining Corporation and Afrochine are already operational and ramping their output.
The diamond industry is targeting to produce 10 million carats on the back of investments and expansion programmes by players in the sector.
Currently, the mining industry accounts for 73 percent of foreign direct investment, 83 percent of exports, 19 percent of Government revenues, two percent of formal employment and 11 percent of individual incomes. It is projected to generate more than US$20 billion by 2030.
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