Opinion / Columnist
Value addition is the way to go
10 Feb 2015 at 10:05hrs | Views
The signing of the billion dollar platinum project between government and the Russians adds weight to Zimbabwe's economic hope that is now underpinned in the mining sector. The deal has come in, exemplary, with its alignment to the economic blue print, Zim-ASSET.
Having learnt the lessons from the diamond sector, the project is undoubtedly refined and compatible to the indigenization and empowerment drive. Great Dyke Investments is set to construct a refinery for value addition as per requirements of Zim-ASSET and is expected to create not less than 15000 jobs. These efforts compliment the diamond processing centre which is set to be launched anytime from now.
After all indications and deliberations for a prospective and sustainable venture, the authorities should put life to this initiative lest it becomes a 'paper tiger' for the economic woes that have seen the economy crumble together with people's livelihood. Beneficiation should cascade down to the grassroots and make a sound impact to the ordinary Zimbabwean.
The initiative should also save as an example to other mining players who I can describe as harbouring imperialistic motives by resisting people oriented adjustments. Circling on the issue of value addition, particularly the chrome sector, there has been dragging of feet and deployment of various antics to evade the requirement of setting up refineries to process chrome than export it in its raw state.
Zimbabwe really needs an industrial revolution, with players that are committed to the national cause and ready to deliver than fattening their pockets.
Some big names such as ZIMASCO have scaled down their operations citing exorbitant production costs. In other words they are reluctant to beneficiate the local market preferring a situation where government is pushed to lift the ban on the export of chrome ore. The artificial problems are indexical of pulling in opposite direction with the government.
It is no longer a case of how 'Europe under developed Africa' as Walter Rodney would say, but 'How Europe under develops Africa'. It is a system designed to perennially drain and exhaust Africa of its resources by whatever means.
As times are changing so are the vices to keep Africa under servitude. It is prudent to tighten all loopholes that could be manipulated to derail the economic emancipation that could derive from the natural resources.
Capacity utilization is the way to go with regards to the vast minerals that lie in Zimbabwe.
History is surely reliving itself in Zimbabwe and Africa in general as resources continue being siphoned. President Mugabe's call for Africa ownership of its resources and Africa for Africans is spot.
Having learnt the lessons from the diamond sector, the project is undoubtedly refined and compatible to the indigenization and empowerment drive. Great Dyke Investments is set to construct a refinery for value addition as per requirements of Zim-ASSET and is expected to create not less than 15000 jobs. These efforts compliment the diamond processing centre which is set to be launched anytime from now.
After all indications and deliberations for a prospective and sustainable venture, the authorities should put life to this initiative lest it becomes a 'paper tiger' for the economic woes that have seen the economy crumble together with people's livelihood. Beneficiation should cascade down to the grassroots and make a sound impact to the ordinary Zimbabwean.
The initiative should also save as an example to other mining players who I can describe as harbouring imperialistic motives by resisting people oriented adjustments. Circling on the issue of value addition, particularly the chrome sector, there has been dragging of feet and deployment of various antics to evade the requirement of setting up refineries to process chrome than export it in its raw state.
Zimbabwe really needs an industrial revolution, with players that are committed to the national cause and ready to deliver than fattening their pockets.
It is no longer a case of how 'Europe under developed Africa' as Walter Rodney would say, but 'How Europe under develops Africa'. It is a system designed to perennially drain and exhaust Africa of its resources by whatever means.
As times are changing so are the vices to keep Africa under servitude. It is prudent to tighten all loopholes that could be manipulated to derail the economic emancipation that could derive from the natural resources.
Capacity utilization is the way to go with regards to the vast minerals that lie in Zimbabwe.
History is surely reliving itself in Zimbabwe and Africa in general as resources continue being siphoned. President Mugabe's call for Africa ownership of its resources and Africa for Africans is spot.
Source - Caitlin Kamba
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