Zimbabwe expects 1.2 million diamond carats

Zimbabwe is anticipating to reach 1.2 million carats of diamonds per year once the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) begins activities in all the mining concessions.

This was revealed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Professor Francis Gudyanga in Chiadzwa.

"The diamond industry is poised for a major shift as ZCDC has now taken over most of the mining concessions, and we are happy that the consolidation of diamond mining operations will soon bear fruit. This will increase production capacity with focus to reach 1.2 million carats per year," said Professor Gudyanga.

Visiting Governor for Manica Province of Mozambique, Alberto Ricardo Modlane, who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Mandi Chimene toured a dairy farm project in Mutasa before visiting the diamond mining operations in Chiadzwa to have a better appreciation of the consolidated diamond scheme.

Modlane commended the government's consolidation plan of diamonds, saying it has protected the natural resource base.

ZCDC CEO, Dr Morris Bekezela Mpofu said ZCDC is working on a mining strategy that will increase production capacity and commended the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) for funding capital expenditure.

Chimene called upon the government to fully resource ZCDC and ensure that maximum production is back on line.

The government last year took a deliberate decision to consolidate all diamond mining operations at the expiry of their special grants and renewed the permits of all mining companies in Marange and Chimanimani.