By Rutendo Jiri

His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa is committed to improving the lives of all Zimbabweans, Vice President (VP) Constantino Chiwenga has said.

The Vice President was speaking ahead of President Mnangagwa during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Caledonia Mine Corporation PLC and the Government of Zimbabwe, yesterday at the State House.

“Since becoming the First Secretary of Zanu PF and President of Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa has made a commitment to improve the lives of all Zimbabweans,” he said.

VP Chiwenga called on Zimbabweans to be united and work together to fulfill President Mnangagwa’s vision, to transform Zimbabwe into an Upper Middle Income Economy by 2030. 

“Let’s work together for everyone to benefit from gold mining, throughout the entire value chain,” he said.

Speaking at the event, President Mnangagwa applauded Caledonia Mine for taking bold steps to invest in the country during a time when some foreign governments and regime change activists wanted to see the country’s economy crumble under continued illegal sanctions.

Contrary to his critics, President Mnangagwa reiterated that, his Government was committed to improving the country’s ease of doing business to attract foreign investment.

“The ceremony is a milestone achievement towards our quest to attain a US$12 million mining sector economy by 2023. Furthermore it is indicative of Caledonia Mining Corporation’s explicit interest in our economy, affirming that Zimbabwe is a safe investment destination,” he said.

Caledonia Mine Chief Executive Officer, Mr Steve Curtis commended the new dispensation’s open approach to business and expressed his company’s continued interest to invest in the country.   

Mr Curtis highlighted that apart from the production of gold, his company had approved the construction of a US$12 million solar project at Blanket Mine.