News / National
Govt resuscitates Shabanie and Mashaba Mines
24 Mar 2013 at 05:52hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) has injected US$1,2 million for the immediate revival of Shabanie and Mashaba Mines (SMM) in a development that has seen the resumption of operations at the two giant mining concerns.
ZMDC chairman Mr Godwils Masimirembwa said in a recent interview the mines were producing fibre through reprocessing mine dumps.
More than 800 employees have since resumed work at the two mines following the resumption of operations.
"We have managed to invest US$1,2 million into the immediate resumption of operations at Shabanie, Mashava and Gaths Mine. These initial funds will be directed towards the production of fibre through the reprocessing of mine dumps," he said.
Mr Masimirembwa said 865 workers are currently at work as production at the two mines begins to take shape.
"As we speak, 390 workers at Gaths Mine and 475 workers at Shabanie Mine are at work and receiving full pay working on the dumps. The fibre they are collecting through the dump reclamation exercise will be sold to local markets. This will help sustain production and also assist us in paying all the employees, including those who are yet to resume work," he said.
Mr Masimirembwa said ZMDC is still courting foreign investors to expand the current operations at the mines.
"In the long run we expect to expand operations and begin full-scale operations at these mining houses once we get a strategic partner. We are already in talks with some potential investors although negotiations are still at an early stage.
"We need about US$120 million for the asbestos mine to become operational and we are also considering acquiring a credit line from both local and potential financiers," he said.
ZMDC general manager Engineer Jerry Ndlovu recently said that they had invested a substantial amount in the upgrading of some section of the existing infrastructure, including the refurbishment of the brittle plant at a cost of US$2 million.
Before suspending operations, SMM used to produce an estimated 200 000 tonnes of fibre every year. The company closed in 2008, leaving an estimated3 000 workers jobless.
SMM was once one of Africa's largest asbestos producers and had access to markets in the United States, United Kingdom, Angola, Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique, India, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, China and Indonesia.
The miner is reportedly sitting on reserves that can be exploited for the next 20 years.
By assuming ownership over SMM, ZMDC took the responsibility to pay workers who had gone for years without receiving salaries.
ZMDC chairman Mr Godwils Masimirembwa said in a recent interview the mines were producing fibre through reprocessing mine dumps.
More than 800 employees have since resumed work at the two mines following the resumption of operations.
"We have managed to invest US$1,2 million into the immediate resumption of operations at Shabanie, Mashava and Gaths Mine. These initial funds will be directed towards the production of fibre through the reprocessing of mine dumps," he said.
Mr Masimirembwa said 865 workers are currently at work as production at the two mines begins to take shape.
"As we speak, 390 workers at Gaths Mine and 475 workers at Shabanie Mine are at work and receiving full pay working on the dumps. The fibre they are collecting through the dump reclamation exercise will be sold to local markets. This will help sustain production and also assist us in paying all the employees, including those who are yet to resume work," he said.
Mr Masimirembwa said ZMDC is still courting foreign investors to expand the current operations at the mines.
"In the long run we expect to expand operations and begin full-scale operations at these mining houses once we get a strategic partner. We are already in talks with some potential investors although negotiations are still at an early stage.
"We need about US$120 million for the asbestos mine to become operational and we are also considering acquiring a credit line from both local and potential financiers," he said.
ZMDC general manager Engineer Jerry Ndlovu recently said that they had invested a substantial amount in the upgrading of some section of the existing infrastructure, including the refurbishment of the brittle plant at a cost of US$2 million.
Before suspending operations, SMM used to produce an estimated 200 000 tonnes of fibre every year. The company closed in 2008, leaving an estimated3 000 workers jobless.
SMM was once one of Africa's largest asbestos producers and had access to markets in the United States, United Kingdom, Angola, Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique, India, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, China and Indonesia.
The miner is reportedly sitting on reserves that can be exploited for the next 20 years.
By assuming ownership over SMM, ZMDC took the responsibility to pay workers who had gone for years without receiving salaries.
Source - SM
