News / Local
Zimbabwe's diamond sector to surpass US$1bn target
08 Apr 2022 at 01:41hrs | Views
Zimbabwe's diamond sector is on course to exceed the targeted US$1 billion contribution backed by exceptional performance by mining companies such as the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZMDC).
Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing extraordinary meeting of the Association of African Diamond Producing Countries (ADPA) and Council of Ministers here yesterday, Mines and Mining Development Minister, Winston Chitando, said diamond production had grown from 1,7 million carats in 2017 to almost 4 million last year.
This year, production is expected to reach 5 million carats, as ZCDC, Murowa Diamonds and Anjin Investments have done well.
"ZCDC as the largest producer, they have ramped up production and improved efficiencies and in the process they have reduced their operating costs," said Minister Chitando.
Murowa Diamonds has invested US$450 million to put up a plant and undertake mining operations.
The plant will be operational by next month.
ZCDC, Murowa, Anjin and other players, also have major initiatives for value addition of diamonds.
Speaking at the official opening earlier, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said the mining sector was one of the critical pillars upon which the country's vision of attaining an empowered and prosperous upper middle income society by 2030 was anchored.
"Vision 2030 will only be realised if there is strong collaboration between Government, private sector and civil society organisations.
"In this regard, I would like to appreciate the presence of the private sector players in the Zimbabwean diamond mining sector in particular and generally across the continent of Africa," he said.
Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo, said the province was determined towards the US$12 billion mining industry by next year.
In separate interviews, Chiefs Marange and headman Chiadzwa said locals should benefit from their natural resources.
They commended the Second Republic for prioritising local communities.
Both said a number of infrastructure development projects were underway in their communities but called for more support.
"I preside over a place where there are diamond deposits and for us chiefs and our subjects, we know the importance of diamonds and that they should benefit everyone where they are found.
"We can't have diamonds in our country developing only people elsewhere when locals suffer," said Chief Marange.
Headman Chiadzwa said inviting traditional leaders to the meeting was a welcome development.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing extraordinary meeting of the Association of African Diamond Producing Countries (ADPA) and Council of Ministers here yesterday, Mines and Mining Development Minister, Winston Chitando, said diamond production had grown from 1,7 million carats in 2017 to almost 4 million last year.
This year, production is expected to reach 5 million carats, as ZCDC, Murowa Diamonds and Anjin Investments have done well.
"ZCDC as the largest producer, they have ramped up production and improved efficiencies and in the process they have reduced their operating costs," said Minister Chitando.
Murowa Diamonds has invested US$450 million to put up a plant and undertake mining operations.
The plant will be operational by next month.
ZCDC, Murowa, Anjin and other players, also have major initiatives for value addition of diamonds.
Speaking at the official opening earlier, Vice President Constantino Chiwenga said the mining sector was one of the critical pillars upon which the country's vision of attaining an empowered and prosperous upper middle income society by 2030 was anchored.
"Vision 2030 will only be realised if there is strong collaboration between Government, private sector and civil society organisations.
"In this regard, I would like to appreciate the presence of the private sector players in the Zimbabwean diamond mining sector in particular and generally across the continent of Africa," he said.
Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo, said the province was determined towards the US$12 billion mining industry by next year.
In separate interviews, Chiefs Marange and headman Chiadzwa said locals should benefit from their natural resources.
They commended the Second Republic for prioritising local communities.
Both said a number of infrastructure development projects were underway in their communities but called for more support.
"I preside over a place where there are diamond deposits and for us chiefs and our subjects, we know the importance of diamonds and that they should benefit everyone where they are found.
"We can't have diamonds in our country developing only people elsewhere when locals suffer," said Chief Marange.
Headman Chiadzwa said inviting traditional leaders to the meeting was a welcome development.
Source - The Herald
