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The company representatives, who are into gold and coal mining, met Matabeleland North Governor Thokozile Mathuthu in the provincial capital, Lupane, where they affirmed their support for the ongoing indigenisation drive.
The companies were Makomo Coal Mining, Hwange Coal Gassification, Liberation Mine, Hwange Colliery Company, Lonely Mine, South Mining, New Dawn Mining, Duration Gold and Isabela Mining.
New Dawn, Isabela and Duration Gold are sister mines under Bilboes Holdings and they operate in Bubi District.
Governor Mathuthu confirmed the meeting in a telephone interview from Lupane.
“We had an interactive meeting with the mining companies in the province who pledged their commitment to participating in the share ownership scheme and preparations for the launch are already underway,” she said.
“You are aware that President Mugabe launched the CSOT/S in Matabeleland South recently and now it is our turn. We expect to meet the Minister of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Saviour Kasukuwere on Thursday on the same issue.”
Acting Matabeleland North provincial administrator Mr Christopher Chuma also described the meeting as a success.
He said the province was endowed with a lot of natural resources that should be used to finance development projects.
“We had a very successful meeting with the mining companies. We even conducted a tour of development projects in the provincial capital such as the provincial hospital, the Government office complex, Lupane State University and Bubi Lupane Dam,” said Mr Chuma.
“We observed the slow pace at which the projects are being implemented and discussed how the companies could contribute resources in order to speed up the implementation of the projects.”
Contacted for comment Chief Mtshane Khumalo of Bubi District applauded the CSOT/S saying the initiative would go a long way towards enhancing concrete community development.
“Like any other community we expect the CSOT/S to enhance development in our areas and complement efforts by rural district councils. This is a welcome development, which is actually long overdue because these mining companies have been exploiting our resources without ploughing back to the communities,” said Chief Mtshane who is also the deputy president of the Chiefs’ Council.
The CSOT/S is a countrywide Government initiative aimed at spearheading development and empowering rural communities by giving them a 10 percent stake in all businesses that exploit natural resources in their areas.
Last month the Government launched the Gwanda CSOT/S in Colleen Bawn where 18 gold mining companies and a giant cement manufacturing company, Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC), are participating.
Vumbachikwe Mine authorities, who have been refusing to abide by the country’s indigenisation laws, have also softened up after the Government threatened to take over the mine.
Under the CSOT/S, the communities use profits from their shares to fund development projects such as building schools, clinics, bridges and other such community projects.
Minister Kasukuwere is on record as saying the community share scheme is part of Government efforts to consolidate the gains of the liberation struggle through indigenisation and economic empowerment of the previously marginalised black people.
In 2011 alone mining companies in Zimbabwe, most of which are foreign owned, exported more than $1 billion worth of minerals and only 15 percent of this amount was paid to Government, meaning that mining of the resources has not been benefiting the people of Zimbabwe.
Matabeleland North will become the fourth province after Matabeleland South, Mashonaland West and Midlands to benefit from the community share scheme.
Online Reporter