Business / Economy
Italian technology for granite beneficiation
16 Feb 2011 at 06:58hrs | Views
International Marble Institute in Africa project manager, Saul Muvindi has urged local players in the marble and granite industry to take advantage of modern Italian technology for beneficiation purposes.
Speaking at the 'Latest Italian Technology for transformation of marble and granite' workshop which brought together local experts and Italian companies, Muvindi said the technology could help Zimbabwe derive greater value from its dimensional stones.
"The Zimbabwean Black Granite is unique and highly esteemed globally. Unlike other stones mined in other parts of the world, the Zimbabwe Black Granite has a consistency in color and is the only granite that can be cut in large blocks."
Muvindi further said the granite and marble industry could contribute significantly to the recovery of the Zimbabwe economy as the dimensional stones are on demand in the global market.
"However the country is not realizing full benefits from this sector as it is selling the granite as an unprocessed raw material. The latest Italian technology is ideal for the beneficiation process which adds value to raw materials such as granite," he added.
Adding his voice to the issue, the head of the Italian delegation Sergio La Verghetta said the Italian government is committed to help Harare transform its marble and granite sector.
"Our mission is to try and create opportunities for local players in the marble and granite industry with a view to engaging them as partners," he said.
The workshop is the fifth of a series organized around the world, within the frame of a cooperating agreement between the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, Italian Association of Marble Machinery Manufactures and Italian Trade Commission.
Meanwhile, sales area manager of Barsanti Macchine an international exporter of machines for the processing of marble, granite and related natural stones, Valentino Valentini ruled out any potential sole investment in this sector as this would translate to conflict of interest.
Speaking at the 'Latest Italian Technology for transformation of marble and granite' workshop which brought together local experts and Italian companies, Muvindi said the technology could help Zimbabwe derive greater value from its dimensional stones.
"The Zimbabwean Black Granite is unique and highly esteemed globally. Unlike other stones mined in other parts of the world, the Zimbabwe Black Granite has a consistency in color and is the only granite that can be cut in large blocks."
Muvindi further said the granite and marble industry could contribute significantly to the recovery of the Zimbabwe economy as the dimensional stones are on demand in the global market.
"However the country is not realizing full benefits from this sector as it is selling the granite as an unprocessed raw material. The latest Italian technology is ideal for the beneficiation process which adds value to raw materials such as granite," he added.
Adding his voice to the issue, the head of the Italian delegation Sergio La Verghetta said the Italian government is committed to help Harare transform its marble and granite sector.
"Our mission is to try and create opportunities for local players in the marble and granite industry with a view to engaging them as partners," he said.
The workshop is the fifth of a series organized around the world, within the frame of a cooperating agreement between the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, Italian Association of Marble Machinery Manufactures and Italian Trade Commission.
Meanwhile, sales area manager of Barsanti Macchine an international exporter of machines for the processing of marble, granite and related natural stones, Valentino Valentini ruled out any potential sole investment in this sector as this would translate to conflict of interest.
Source - The Business Diary
