adminIn an interview on the sidelines of the ongoing 6th Africa Materials Research Society International Conference of the Africa Materials Research Society (AMRS) in Victoria Falls yesterday, Mr Titus Nyatsanga, a metallurgist and mining consultant said gold production was anticipated to produce above 10 tonnes. He said at the same time, platinum was projected to increase by about 15 to 20 percent.
“2011 was a good year for the mining sector and we anticipate more production next year going forward,” he said.
Mr Nyatsanga however said some minerals were not going to produce much as some mining companies where facing operational problems.
He added that asbestos and chrome were some of the minerals that were not going to perform well.
“However, we are not producing asbestos at the moment and that means we cannot expect any growth at the moment unless and until problems bedevilling companies involved are solved.
Mr Nyatsanga said as for chrome, it was anticipated that it will remain the same or stagnant as the mines have been hit by problems related to machinery.
“At the same time, the ban on the exportation of raw chrome by the Government also affected production. Production was also affected by the fact that it is only small-time miners who are concentrating in the mining of the product,” said Mr Nyatsanga.
He said coal production was expected to increase by 10 percent catapulted by the fact that Hwange Colliery Company bought some mining equipment.
At the same time several companies were licensed by the Government to explore for the black diamond.
“In general, the future is bright for the mining sector. What we therefore need is the introduction of value addition so that the country enjoys more proceeds from the sector,” he said.
Online Reporter