Staff Reporter
Mines and mining development Minister Honourable Winston Chitando says the mining industry is set for a major boost in 2022 as it pursues value addition and increased capacity utilisation.
Speaking in Harare recently, the Minister said although the official figures on the 2021 mining performance are yet to be officially released, close to 4.5billion United States dollars were brought in revenue streams, adding that 2022 should witness further growth
“ZCDC did exceptionally well in diamonds, their target for 2022 is even higher, we expect them to produce even higher. Murowa diamonds commenced the 450 million US dollar expansion project and their plant should be commissioned soon. So diamonds are well on course,” said Winston Chitando who added that some major initiatives will soon be announced towards value addition of diamonds.
He said that the country will witness a number of increased percentage of diamonds being value added locally. Minister Chitando revealed that the consolidated carbon steel project is also part of government’s initiative to maximise on value addition before export.
“The consolidated carbon steel project is a typical example of value addition , because the inputs into carbon steel include iron ore , which is value added, coking coal which is being value added and ferrochrome which is being value added as well,” said the Minister.
Minister Chitando noted that government`s ban on export of chrome concentrate with effect from 2022 is another positive for the mining sector.
“Governmentd banned the export of ferrochrome which takes effect this year and what has happened there is a positive development and will increase production. Zimasco has announced that they are moving from a capacity of 150 000 tonnes to 420 000 tonnes,” said Minister Chitando.
Gold output is also expected to increase this year on the back of increased capacity by big mining entities and small scale miners.
Government has emphasised that the attainment of a 12 billion dollar mining industry is not an event but a process.
