By Tafanana Kwedu
In a move expected to boost Zimbabwe’s diamond production, President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday re-launched Anjin diamond mining company, a joint venture entity between Chinese firm Afec and the Zimbabwe Government through Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC).
Anjin and other diamond mining firms were ordered by government in 2016 to halt production over concerns of widespread looting, corruption and diamond leakages in Chiadzwa.
ZCDC took over operations, but was later allowed to partner Afec and Russian firm, Alrosa.
Speaking at the official re-launch of Anjin’s operations in Chiadzwa, President Mnangagwa said the company’s re-entry into the diamond mining sector was a boost for the country’s roadmap and strategy which seeks to achieve US$12 billion mining export receipts by 2023.
“Due to the experience and expertise of Anjin, I am confident that the company will help in shaping Zimbabwe’s global competitive niche in the diamond sector.
“Our decision in 2016 affected the production of diamonds for the last four years. We are now determined to restore the productivity of diamonds for the benefit and reconstruction of our economy,” he said.
President Mnangagwa said before the closure, Anjin and several other miners in Chiadzwa; the company alone was contributing about US$200 million per annum to the GDP which was lost for four years.
“We now have a strategy, a mining roadmap to achieve $12 billion by 2023. All indications point that we might achieve that goal earlier than expected. The current lull in the international markets for diamonds is temporary as a result of the current Covid-19 pandemic we however must remain resolute and prioritize value addition and beneficiation for maximum returns.”
The world over, he said, the diamond mining industry is one of the thriving industries with great potential to grow and sustain livelihoods; the subsector contributes significant percentage to export earnings and foreign direct investment.
President Mnangagwa said government was aware of various deposits of diamonds in the country outside Manicaland and would soon exploit these places.
“It is our desire that both local and foreign investors should come and take up investment opportunities within the diamond industry,” he said.
Last year, diamond output reached 1.6 million carats down from 2.8 million carats mined in 2018.
With adequate investment and sound corporate governance, the diamond sector has the potential to turn around the country’s fortunes as is the case with Botswana where the mineral has improved the livelihoods of the Batswana people.
