‘Indaba backs value addition’ 13 June 2019

Stakeholders in the mining sector have thrown their weight behind Government’s call for value addition and beneficiation, saying the move creates more jobs for citizens. Speaking during the Manicaland Provincial Alternative Mining Indaba held in Mutare on Tuesday, Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) representative Reverend Abel Waiziweyi said there was need to venture into cutting and polishing of diamonds to create more employment. “We should create employment in Zimbabwe through such activities as cutting and polishing diamonds,” said Reverend Waiziweyi. “Why can’t we polish the diamonds ourselves?”

President Mnangagwa’s administration is emphasising on value addition and beneficiation, which generate more revenue for the country and creates more jobs. In India, there are some companies involved in value addition and beneficiation of diamonds which employ up to 30 000 people, demonstrating the centrality of value addition in the mining sector.

…Administrator for the Marange Community Share Ownership Trust Mr David Garwe said they were working with an Indian company to start a diamond polishing and cutting company in Marange. “We have engaged an Indian company that we asked to register with MMCZ (Minerals Marketing Corporation Zimbabwe) so that we can know if they are genuine,” said Mr Garwe…Running under the theme, “Promoting safe and responsible investment”, the workshop brought together several stakeholders, among them the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (Zela), Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Marange Community Share Ownership Trust, ZCC as well as community-based organisations.