By Tendai Matunhu

A new Strategic Roadmap has been rolled out to create a viable operating environment that should attract both local and foreign investment in the mining sector.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said this whilst addressing delegates at the launch of the Strategic Roadmap to achieve a $12 billion milestone by 2023.

The President said “The rolling out of the Strategic Roadmap is timely and a realisation of the sector's potential to anchor and support other economic sectors in our quest to transform, industrialise and modernise our economy.”

President Mnangagwa also said the Strategic Roadmap endeavours to create a viable operating environment that attracts both local and foreign investment in the mining industry guided by investor friendly laws and policies in line with international best practices.

He said that investors should continue to have more confidence in the country due to the reforms being undertaken and key enablers are being put in place. The roadmap highlights the mining sectors contribution to the energy sector by 2023, said the President.

President Mnangagwa said that the launch of the Roadmap should not be an end, but must be a building block towards social development and economic growth in the country. He also said together as a nation we will build the Zimbabwe we all want.

President Mnangagwa highlighted that under the New Dispensation value addition and beneficiation in mining would be prioritised.

“Under the 2nd Republic, Government will continue to facilitate value addition and beneficiation projects which will feed into Vision 2030. This Roadmap will enable the attraction of local and foreign investors in line with international best practices,” he said.

Government remains seized with the modernisation of our transport systems in particular the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) for it to offer the requisite logistical support to the mining sector, said President Emmerson Mnangagwa.