Zimbabwe’s mining sector reforms have received further backing from the newly appointed Mining Affairs Board, which is supporting Government’s efforts to accelerate mineral exploration, promote value addition and beneficiation, reduce operational costs and modernise the administration of the sector.
The 12-member board recently met Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura to discuss measures aimed at ensuring Zimbabwe derives greater economic value from its mineral resources.
Prominent miner and women in mining advocate Mrs Blessing Hungwe-Nhara, who sits on the new board, said the country needed to intensify mineral exploration to establish the quantity and value of its resources.
“I am also glad to be honoured within this portfolio, and it speaks to the fact that as small-scale miners, we are also cognisant of the fact that this nation needs development,” she said.
Hungwe-Nhara said increased exploration would help Zimbabwe generate more revenue from mineral exports and support sustainable economic growth.
“It is within such a perspective that Zimbabwe should forge ahead with exploration of minerals to determine the quantity and value of resources at a time when the nation needs more funds from mineral exports to sustain growth,” she said.
Dr Kambamura said the board had been tasked with safeguarding national interests while ensuring the mining sector contributes more meaningfully to socio-economic development.
“This will further attest to the fact that, as Government, we also take into consideration the need to preserve the interests of the nation at a time when the mining sector is also expected to unlock more revenues and has the potential to play a vital role in the overall socio-economic development agenda,” he said.
The Minister said value addition and beneficiation would be a key priority for the board as Government seeks to maximise returns from Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth.
“So I have mandated this board to further look into the needs of the nation, particularly the value addition and beneficiation strategy,” Dr Kambamura said.
The Mining Affairs Board is a statutory institution established under the Mines and Minerals Act and plays a key role in mineral rights administration and consideration of mining-related matters.
The board is chaired by Mines and Mining Development Permanent Secretary, Dr Thomas Utete Wushe.
Other members are Engineer C.S. Tahwa, Engineer M.J. Munodawafa, Mr Nhukarume, Mr F. Magumbate, Mr Allen Mashingaidze, Mr Harry Greaves, Mr Sylvester Dhlamini, Mrs Manyara Chigunduru, Mrs Nanganidzai Mahoko, Mrs E.M. Muguti and Mrs Blessing Hungwe-Nhara.
The board brings together expertise from different areas of the mining sector and is expected to support Government’s broader objectives of attracting investment, increasing mineral revenues and promoting value addition and beneficiation.
Its work will also focus on strengthening the administration of mineral rights, improving sector efficiency and ensuring Zimbabwe captures greater value from its mineral resources.
