by Chiedza Tembo

Anjin Investments has pinned its hopes on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration to have its mining rights restored, so it resumes operations in Chiadzwa, after its licence was revoked in 2016.

Following a visit that was made to Anjin Diamond Mining Company (Pvt) Ltd by a 15 member Chinese business delegation, led by Anjin Investment Chairman, Mr Quiude Zhang, the company expressed hope of re-opening after the company ceased operations over misunderstandings with the then Government under former President Robert Mugabe.

The 15 member delegation was accompanied by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, War Veterans and Security, Martin Rushwaya, and Director of the Zimbabwe Geological Survey in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Mabasa Themba Muwadi.

Anjin Investments Chairman expressed hope that the new administration would assist the company to resume its operations.

Mr Rushwaya noted that the termination of operations at Anjin contributed to the beginning of cash shortages since there was no more foreign currency realised from the company’s operations. He also indicated that if mining operations resumed, 1000 jobs would be created for the local community.

Anjin Diamond Company stopped operations in 2006 after the previous administration under Mugabe abruptly terminated its operating licenses in Marange, including that of six other mining companies that were operating in that area.

Government has started working on a new Diamond policy that will unbundle Zimbabwe Consolidated Mining Company (ZCMC) to ensure more investors to exploit the diamond resources, under President Mnangagwa’s mantra that “Zimbabwe is open for business.”