The Mining Indaba event in Zimbabwe which involves a meeting of stakeholders across Zimbabwe’s mining industry is expected to positively impact the country’s mining sector. The meeting’s main focus was mainly issues affecting operators, strategies to implement and policy proposals to enhance production and optimise value addition.
Among the key panellists were Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando, Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube and a guest speaker from the mining industry of Ghana. Meeting at the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe (CoMZ), the annual Indaba dwelled on the factors that negatively affected productivity especially in the first quarter of this year and what can be done to rebound output in the second quarter of 2021, Covis-19 restrictions notwithstanding.
Read: Zimbabwe’s Mining On Track To Generating US $12bn Annual Revenue by 2023
Mining in Zimbabwe
Mining accounts for about three quarters of Zimbabwe’s annual exports thus an important part of the economy. The government aims at increasing minerals export earnings from US $ 3.2bn recorded in 2017 to US $12bn by the end of 2023.
Among the key minerals in the country are gold, platinum group metals, chrome, nickel, diamond and coal. Miners hold the hope that challenges hindering Zimbabwe’s realization of its full potential can be overcome.
CoMZ president Elizabeth Nerwande said last week that last year was challenging because of the Covid-19 pandemic but the government did well to allow mining companies continue operating during the lockdown period. “In the first quarter, we saw a dip in production. This year’s Mining Indaba Zimbabwe theme is ‘Navigating turbulent times and the need to build resilience,” she said.
The mining Indaba event took place from 3rd to 5th June. President Mnangagwa also graced the occasion.
