Former advisor to Gono launches mining consortium

Former advisor to Reserve Bank governor Munyaradzi Kereke, in collaboration with various partners in Bikita, has launched the Bikita Community Mining Consortium (BCMC) aimed at reviving mining in the district and empowering locals.

Addressing a Press conference in Harare on Wednesday, Kereke said chiefs in Bikita and interest groups, including former freedom fighters, disabled persons, women and youths, would also take part in the consortium.

Clearing of land and surveying is expected to start on Monday.
BCMC will have its primary focus on mining copper, diamonds, coal, gold and tantalite, among other minerals.

Kereke, who is a holder of mining claims in Bikita, said he had spread his shareholding to empower the Bikita community by involving the chiefs and the community at large.

"The creation of the Bikita Community Mining Consortium is a direct response to the calls by the President on fellow Zimbabweans to empower ourselves through creation of productive consortiums, particularly in the realm of mining.

This project will actively create employment opportunities for the people of Bikita, Masvingo and the rest of the country," said Kereke.

Once the project got underway, Kereke said profits would be deployed for the benefit of the Bikita community and Masvingo province through the construction of agro-inputs support warehouses, construction of schools, health service centres, roads, dams and bridges, among other things.

Bikita chiefs Mazungunye, Mabika, Marozva, Mukangamwi, Budzi and Ziki welcomed the initiative and challenged other provinces to come up with such empowerment programmes.