By Tatenda Mujeyi
Harare, Zimbabwe (News of athe South) – Cabinet has spearhead implementation of the Zimbabwe 12billion dollar Mining Industry initiative through industrialisation plans, environmental and licencing regulations among other issues.
The 12 billion dollar Mining Industry initiative is a ministry of mines initiative launched in 2019 in line with the President’s Vision 2030 that seeks to realise Zimbabwe as a upper middle economy by 2030.
The presentation explored MOU’s the government had ventured into mainly in the line of stainless steel and carbon steel and furnaces.
“Cabinet was informed that a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Tsingshan Steel for investment in mining projects towards the production of stainless steel. Production in the interim will commence with carbon steel.” Chairperson of Post Cabinet briefs, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa.
Furthermore, “Tsingshan, through its subsidiary Afrochine, constructed two additional ferrochrome furnaces in 2020, and will construct additional furnaces in May 2021. The ground breaking ceremony for the iron ore mine and carbon steel plant is scheduled for May 2021 in Manhize, Mvuma. A fluorite and limestone production plant will soon be set up.” Mutsvangwa announced.
Cabinet also announced a string of tax and environmental issues that will become necessary to make claim renewals in a move that could enhance accountability.
“In order to ensure that mining title is not subject to abuse and used in environmental degradation, Cabinet directed as follows: (a) that submission of a current tax clearance certificate becomes a condition of renewal of all mining concessions; (b) that the Environmental Management Agency will undertake audits to ensure that contracted companies are performing their work to standard; (c) all expatriate labour should have the requisite work permits; (d) that an environmental compliance certificate is now a requirement for renewal of all mining concessions.” The Minister highlighted.
Cabinet also announced environmental reviews that will be enacted though line ministries to help protect the environment and control desiltation.
“Cabinet reviewed the ban on mining in rivers and directed that de-siltation activities in portions of Angwa, Save and Mutebekwi rivers can commence subject to the condition that no chemicals are utilized and the structures of the rivers are not affected. Each de-siltation process shall have permanent presence of officials from the Ministries of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry; and Mines and Mining Development, with investor funding.” Mutsvangwa also said.
In a bid to enhance productivity, production reports become mandatory in the renewal of licences and were production has not commenced, five year production plans should be submitted.
” It was agreed that; (e) a certificate of production from MMCZ/Fidelity to be attached as proof of previous year production. It was agreed that a mechanism be established for certification of production sold locally where MMCZ is not involved. Where no production was undertaken in the previous year, plans to get in to production should be outlined and in all cases 5-year production plans should be submitted.” The Minister also said.
However, the report remains inconclusive as it fails to explore the financial pillferage through illegal gold sales, other mining plan’s that will define the 12billion dollar Mining Industry.
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