Online Reporter
Johnsias Mutonhori
MINISTER of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, has hailed public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a strategic driver of infrastructure development and community empowerment under the Second Republic.
He made the remarks on Tuesday while commissioning the US$300 000 Shurugwi Community Empowerment Trust Gold Milling and Processing Centre in Shurugwi, a project funded by Cheng-Xi Chengetai Investments.
The modern centre is expected to benefit more than 5 000 small-scale miners across Shurugwi District by providing affordable and efficient gold milling and processing services.
Minister Ncube said the project is a practical example of how partnerships between the Government and the private sector can transform communities, improve livelihoods and promote value addition at the local level.
“The Shurugwi Community Empowerment Trust Gold Milling and Processing Centre entrenches the Second Republic’s formalisation of the informal sector thrust, which empowers youths to contribute effectively towards the mining sector,” he said.
Minister Ncube commended Cheng-Xi Chengetai Investments for complementing Government efforts through corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects spanning education, health, mining and agriculture.
The company has donated ICT equipment to schools, provided mining tools to artisanal miners and funded the refurbishment of health infrastructure in the district.
As part of its CSR initiatives, the company also channelled US$30 000 towards the refurbishment of Shurugwi District Hospital’s mortuary, whose capacity has been expanded from three to nine bodies.
Unki Mine contributed a solar inverter and four lithium batteries, while Shurugwi Town Council provided US$1 000 for the procurement of a solar backup armoured cable.
The rehabilitation included the installation of new cold room equipment, replacement of doors and a fresh coat of paint.
“We want to pay tribute to Cheng-Xi Chengetai Investments for complementing the Government through funding developmental projects that uplift local communities,” said Minister Ncube.
He added that the company’s acquisition of 100-hectare mining claims and its organisation of small-scale miners into structured groups, inclusive of youths and community leaders, aligns with the Government’s devolution and rural industrialisation agenda.
“This centre provides accessible, affordable and efficient milling services for small-scale miners and the community at large.
“It helps miners save money and travel shorter distances while promoting safe and environmentally friendly mining methods,” said the minister.
Minister Ncube said the Government remains committed to rural industrialisation and local beneficiation of minerals, in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision of transforming rural economies through devolution and value addition.
The milling and processing centre is equipped with three round mills, a jaw crusher, three hammer mills, water reservoirs, a warehouse, melting and carbon rooms, a generator, ponds, ablution facilities, as well as administrative offices, a manager’s house and workers’ quarters.
Chen-Xi Chengetai Investments general manager, Mr Simon Karimanzira, commended the Government for creating a conducive investment climate and pledged continued collaboration on community upliftment projects.
“We’re witnessing the results of the US$30 000 we contributed to the mortuary rehabilitation, which was in a deplorable state. The money was put to good use, and this inspires us to continue partnering with Government in national development,” he said.
Mr Karimanzira said their empowerment strategy takes a holistic approach across the entire mining value chain.
“We acquired claims for small-scale miners, constructed roads, opened up belts, boreholes and ablution facilities. We then equipped miners with hammer mills, compressors, generators and water pumps. The next logical step was to establish this milling centre to help them realise full value from their ore,” he said.
He said before the centre was established, small-scale miners were often exploited by unscrupulous millers who charged exorbitant fees.
The new facility, Mr Karimanzira added, will ensure transparency, fair pricing, and greater returns for small-scale miners — further empowering communities and supporting the formalisation of the sector.
