By Rudo Saungweme

In a move that should promote value addition in the country, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has commissioned a smelter plant in Shurugwi at Unki mine today.

Speaking at the commissioning of the plant, President Mnangagwa said that Government felt it was necessary to go through the value chain so as to ensure that all the by products which come out of the minerals are processed here in Zimbabwe before going to South Africa.

“In the past we did not go through the value chain and as Government we felt it was necessary to do so for the following specific reasons; value addition, to bring the technology into Zimbabwe and to ensure that all the products which come out of our minerals are processed out when we are here before going to South Africa.

“There is need to beneficiate all the country’s mineral resources as this will help the country in lessening the burden of paying foreign currency to South Africa,” said President Mnangagwa.

His Excellency also stated that the mining sector in Zimbabwe has no restrictions to foreign investors.

“There are no restrictions in the mining sector to foreign investors. Investors are also free to partner with locals,” said His Excellency.

President Mnangagwa expressed gratitude over corporate social responsibility being made by Unki mine.

“I am very pleased that Unki mine is also practising social responsibility. I am proud that we have a primary school of this standard. Houses built for the residence show another source of social responsibility practised here.” he said.

President Mnangagwa urged the residence in Shurugwi to observe the first Friday of every month to clean their environment. Cleaning must be done on a daily basis, the first Friday of every month is just a reminder for people to know that they have to keep their environment clean, said the President.