By Derick Tsimba
Zimbabwe has commenced the process of modernizing its mineral exploration through the launch of an Aeromagnetic and Electronic Survey project at Buffalo Range.
The project marks the beginning of advanced exploration of minerals in the country, a cabinet Minister has said.
In a milestone that marks the beginning of an advanced exploration process of diamonds in Masvingo Province, Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has commissioned the Mwenezi Aeromagnetic and Electronic Survey to be conducted by a local company, Aero Survey in partnership with a South African company, Xcalibur.
Speaking yesterday at the launch of the Aeromagnetic and Electronic Survey project at Buffalo Range in Chiredzi, Masvingo Province, Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Winston Chitando said the diamond sector was likely to surpass its target of 10 million carats by 2023.
“This event is absolutely important in the sense that exploration activities of this nature will enable us to increase our diamond production beyond the 10 million carats. We are looking at quadrupling of diamond production by the year 2023,” said the Minister.
Zimbabwean local company, Aero Survey said it was half way through completing the aeromagnetic survey of the project.
“The key pillars of the project are that we have a local company partnered with a technical partner and we will receive support from Government in this regard. We are now half way through the aeromagnetic phase of the project and look forward to convening in one month’s time with the results of the aeromagnetic survey,” said Aero Survey.
The South African geophysical company, Xculibar said it was looking forward to provide its expertise in the country’s mining sector.
“We provide geophysical services mostly to Africa and the Middle East, we have also done some projects in Canada and Sweden, so we are looking forward to provide our services to Zimbabwe,” said Xcalibar.
Harare Post can reveal that Masvingo Province will soon see the local community benefiting from value addition of diamonds which will soon become one of the many projects Government has spearheaded.
