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Zimbabwe and a Japanese state enterprise Japan, Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation last week signed a mineral exploration agreement that will see the two countries conducting joint geological surveys in the country.
Mines and Mining Development secretary Professor Francis Gudyanga signed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of Zimbabwe while Mr Daisuke Matsunaga represented JOGMEC.
Under the agreement, JOGMEC will provide technical transfer of remote sensing and geological information systems to Zimbabwean geologists.
JOGMEC together with the Geological Services Department of Zimbabwe will also conduct a joint field work to verify geological features and mineral deposits identified by remote sensing and geological information system.
Speaking on the sidelines of the signing ceremony Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Cde Fred Moyo said the MoU was important in the country’s quest to tap its full mineral potential.
“The MoU provides for the joint conduct of geological analysis with Geological Survey Department of Zimbabwe by applying remote sensing and GIS skills to Zimbabwe trainees and the enhancement of geological information on Zimbabwe for the purpose of attracting mining investors including Japanese companies,” he said.
“Zimbabwe’s heterogeneous geological environment is favourable to occurrences of a variety of minerals and ore bodies.
“However, the full potential for mineral development is yet to be tapped and for this reason the country requires intensive mineral exploration to be done.”
Cde Moyo said Zimbabwe previously benefited under the Japanese Development Study Programme that was aimed at transferring technology and knowledge to developing countries through survey and research.
He said during that period, training was done in the field both in Zimbabwe and Japan and full reports were submitted to the Geological Services Department.
“This MoU will go a long way in contributing to the socio-economic development of Zimbabwe in line with Zim-Asset and also will cement regional cooperation in the Sadc region,” said Cde Moyo.
Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe Yoshi Tendai Hiraishi, who witnessed the signing ceremony, said: “This signing event is and will be remembered as a milestone in the history of mining development in Zimbabwe.
“One aspect is the transfer of real technology from Japan to Zimbabwe that is JOGMEC is now poised to transfer a state of the art geological information system to Zimbabwean counterparts.”
JOGMEC is already operating in other 12 Sadc countries that have Geological Services Departments.
Online Reporter