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Harare Bureau
RioZim, the company which was given management contract to run Murowa Diamonds following the divesture of global mining giant Rio Tinto has assured the community around the mine and workers at the diamond mine that it is committed to taking the company to greater heights.
Rio-Zim already held a 22 percent stake in Murowa but now controls the entity after its major shareholder Gem Holdings bought the remaining 78 percent from Rio Tinto last month.
Board chairperson and chief executive officer of Rio Zim, Lovemore Chihota and Noah Matimba toured the mine and the community on Tuesday where they assured the community they would also continue with corporate social responsibility projects that Rio Tinto was implementing.
Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Fred Moyo who is also the Member of Parliament for the area also attended the tour where he implored the company to ensure the local community owned at least a 15 percent stake.
“We know that when things change people tend to naturally get worried about the future of the company but we came here to assure you that our work will continue,” said Chihota.
“You should also not worry yourself that now that the company is owned by indigenous Zimbabweans it will fail without whites.
“We will succeed together and as Rio Zim we want to be proud and say we’ve succeeded even without whites. This will make our government happy because that’s their thrust.”
He said they wanted continuity, as such employees would remain at the firm.
Matimba said Rio Zim was not new in mining since it already had 22 percent shares in Murowa Diamonds.
The company also has various other mining interests in the country.
Zebra Kasete said Murowa Diamonds’ operations would not be affected by the new changes in ownership.
“I’ve been asked by the new owners to remain as managing director and I’m glad to continue. The company may have changed ownership but nothing changes in terms of operations. The board has confirmed its commitment to this company so nothing will change,” he said.
Deputy Minister Moyo said he wanted the local community to benefit from the resource in their area regardless of changes in ownership of the company.
“We can’t have a big business like this but with the community having nothing to show for it. As government we want to see the company succeed as it’s now in the hands of indigenous Zimbabweans.
“Traditional leaders also want shares so we want them to have at least 15 percent as a community. You should sit down as Rio Zim with the community here and agree on it,” he said.
Deputy Minister Moyo said it was important for Rio Zim to continue on the path of community development just like their predecessors.
The delegation toured some of the infrastructure projects that Murowa Diamonds constructed in the area among them schools, a clinic and a Small to Medium Enterprises hall for the community.
Chief Mazvihwa (Calvin Hove) under whose jurisdiction, the mine falls said they wanted the community to benefit from mining operations in the area. “We’re actually happy to see that the mine is now under control of indigenous Zimbabweans who must understand our aspirations as a community. We want you to surpass what Rio Tinto was doing,” he said.
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