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The Chronicle on Friday received the Zimbabwe Miners’ Federation Award in recognition of outstanding Media support of small-scale miners. In the picture the Business Editor Prosper Ndlovu receives the certificate from the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Cde Walter Chidhakwa while Manicaland Miners’ Association advisor Mr Lufeya Shato looks on

Oliver Kazunga Senior Business Reporter
MINES and Mining Development Minister Walter Chidhakwa has commended the mining sector for remaining resilient despite the tough economic environment prevailing in the country.

Officially opening the 2016 Mine Entra Conference in Bulawayo last week, Minister Chidhakwa said the mining sector’s resilience was evidenced by the positive growth in the output of some major minerals.

“Despite being seized with various challenges, the mining sector has remained resilient as evidenced by the positive growth in some major minerals such as gold, platinum and nickel. This resilience has enabled mining operations to remain afloat as a result of continuous engagement and mutual alignment of Government and industry policies,” he said.

Minister Chidhakwa said it was imperative for the Government and the mining industry to continue having dialogue to consolidate and enhance achievements in the sector while mapping strategies for the development of the national economy.

The mining sector, Minister Chidhakwa said, has over the years been singled out as the anchor of Zimbabwe’s economic revival and sustainable development.

“It’s therefore critical to ensure that key enablers are functioning properly to improve the performance of the sector. Issues of supply of goods and services, engineering and transport are, therefore, pertinent to the envisioned thriving industry we all yearn for,” he added.

This year’s Mine Entra was held under the theme, “Unearthing Opportunities for Zimbabwe’s Extractive Sector”.

The Minister said this year’s theme was befitting given numerous linkages the mining sector creates with other stakeholders in the economy.

He added that this year’s event gave players in the mining, engineering and transport sectors an opportunity to share information and ideas as well as finding solutions to issues affecting the industry.

Chidhakwa noted the need to strive for a symbiotic relationship between the mining industry and key stakeholders, which should be based on a win-win situation to facilitate and promote sustainability of each other’s businesses.

“The importance of enablers such as manufacturers, engineering, transport and financial sectors to the development of the mining sector can’t be overemphasised. Creation of opportunities for local manufacturers should also be driven by the mining companies, hence, local procurement should be prioritised,” he said.

“Thus the mining industry should also consider coming up with support initiatives to the local manufacturers to enable them to supply goods and services that meet required standards.”

The minister said it was critical that suppliers supply quality, competitively priced goods as well as meeting right delivery times to the mining sector as this creates mutual and sustainable benefits to both parties.

He said this also creates business opportunities to locals as part of broad-based economic empowerment of Zimbabwe.

“Cognisant of the fact that some equipment and materials may need to be imported, it is imperative that we balance local procurement and imports for the development of the mining sector and the country’s economy at large,” said Chidhakwa.