adminPamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
THE country should seriously consider value adding its minerals before selling them to other countries in order to generate more money and create jobs for the young and skilled graduates from institutions such as the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM), the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Cde Walter Chidhakwa, said yesterday.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe School of Mines 19th graduation and prize giving ceremony at which 178 students graduated, Cde Chidhakwa said the country should stop selling raw minerals.
“We must stop selling our diamonds and other minerals without value addition. Let us create more jobs for the young people and develop our country through value adding our minerals,” said Cde Chidhakwa.
“I know that there are some companies whose managers are of the view that we are not ready for value adding our minerals. I believe that we are ready and we must ensure that our minerals are value added so that as a country we get the best out of our minerals. Value addition must see us do more research on how we can improve our mineral sales.”
Cde Chidhakwa said he was looking forward to working with the mining companies and other stakeholders such as graduates to develop the country’s mining sector.
“I am ignorant of the mining sector but passionate. As new Minister of Mines I look forward to learning from graduates from institutions such as ZSM and working with the entire mining sector for the sake of development.
“Mining has been the mainstay of the country’s economic recovery and growth especially during the period 2009 and we expect the trend to continue,” he said.
Cde Chidhakwa said the Government acknowledged the ZSM graduate’s strategic role that has made an indelible impact on the mining industry over the years.
“ZSM remains a keystone in addressing human capital challenges. With the existing mines anticipating increased production capacity in 2014 and beyond, coupled with the emergence of new mines, demand for human capital is set to increase.
“The growth of the mining sector will help ZSM graduates benefit from such opportunities, hence training becomes relevant,” said Cde Chidhakwa.
He said the School of Mines had made remarkable contributions to the mining industry locally, regionally and internationally.
“Mining companies absorb ZSM graduates who are providing critical technical services of unparalleled quality. Due to the continued demand, ZSM will continue to develop appropriate courses in technical mining qualifications to bridge any identified gaps.
“The institution has forged partnerships with small scale miners which is beneficial to the mining sector,” said Cde Chidhakwa.
He commended the ZSM management for its concerted efforts in formulating and implementing sound policies for the benefit of students.
In his report, the ZSM chief executive officer, Mr Dzingirai Tusai said the institution had recorded an increase in the number of female students, a development that he commended.
“The school has a total of 634 students. Females constitute 21, 7 percent of the total current enrolment and the significant increase in female student enrolment is highly commendable and this is due to the strategies implemented to attract the girl child as the mining industry is still heavily male dominated.
“A study will be done to trace these female students in an effort to check on the progress they have made after ZSM and further invite them to partake in the Higher National Diploma (HND) courses the school has embarked on,” said Mr Tusai.
One of the graduates, Mr Eric Gozho, walked away with a total of $1 600 from different sponsors, a certificate of academic excellence, a laptop, floating shields and trophies and a $100 shopping voucher from Edgars, after emerging the best overall student among the graduates.
The students graduated after completing courses in Geology, Mining, Mine Survey, Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy as well as Metallurgical Assaying.
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