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The economic transformation being experienced in Zimbabwe is fast becoming a reality and locals should take advantage of the investment opportunities that are opening up, a Cabinet minister has said.
Addressing a small-scale miners meeting in Chegutu last week, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said the number of foreigners flocking into the country for investment opportunities was on the rise.
He said Government would remain committed to investing in the mining sector, specifically improving the welfare of small-scale miners who contribute significantly to the fiscus.
“Economic transformation has begun in Zimbabwe,” said Minister Chitando.
“Zimbabweans do not see it, but foreigners have noticed the change and they are flocking to our hotels coming to seek investment.
“President Mnangagwa is steering Zimbabwe towards economic development and success.
“We have been importing electricity from South Africa and Mozambique.
“The plan by President Mnangagwa is that by 2025, Zimbabwe will be able to generate its own electricity and we will be exporting to other nations.”
Minister Chitando said this would go a long way in saving the country’s foreign currency used for importing power.
He said small-scale miners played a major part in helping Zimbabwe achieve its vision of being a middle-class economy by 2030.
“As small-scale miners, you should support the vision of our President that Zimbabwe should become a middle-income economy by 2030,” he said.
He said Government remained committed to improving the welfare of small-scale miners as evidenced by the amendment of the Mines and Minerals Act in May this year.
“It took 14 if not 17 years for the Bill containing the amendment to be passed,” Minister Chitando.
“As Government, we shall see to it that small-scale miners get help to work and boost their production.
“As the Ministry of Mines, we have established a desk that caters for small-scale miners in our office.”
Minister Chitando said Government continued engaging small-scale miners through the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF).
“All the grievances from small-scale miners should come through the ZMF,” he said.
“We will also have fortnightly meetings with the ZMF to discuss such issues.
“I will carry all the issues discussed to President Mnangagwa. He wants small-scale miners to be fully assisted by the Government and there are funds already in place for that.”
Speaking at the same meeting, Zanu-PF national secretary for youth affairs Cde Pepurai Togarepi said President Mnangagwa’s Government should consider further relaxing mining requirements for small-scale miners, especially when getting licensed.
“We are appealing to our listening Government to assist artisanal miners get prospecting licences,” he said.
“The miners want to register and operate legally, but the challenge is funding, and there is need of flexibility to allow them to do their activities and then pay later.”
Cde Togarepi said there should a database for the miners to sell their produce to Fidelity Printers, who will also deduct their dues from the gold delivered.
Online Reporter