Zimpapers Logo

Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]

PAN-AFRICAN mining investor, Bravura Group, has commended President Mnangagwa for driving investment policy reforms in Zimbabwe, which has enabled them to successfully establish two mining companies in the country and contribute to its transformative agenda.

The vertically-integrated Nigerian owned company is in the process of establishing a lithium mining company in Kamativi, Hwange District in Matabeleland North and a platinum mining company in Selous, Mashonaland West.

The Bravura Group operates in 16 countries and 98 percent of its Zimbabwean workforce are locals in line with its commitment to ensure communities in resource areas benefit more from the investment.

Apart from mining, the company is also involved in oil and gas extraction, as well as agriculture and has bases in countries such as Nigeria, Mozambique, Ghana and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others.

Speaking during a handover of six houses constructed by the company for families affected by the coming of the lithium project in Kamativi on Monday, Bravura’s country director, Mr Chikwunwike Macjuile, said the group subscribes to President Mnangagwa’s inclusive development agenda, which emphasises the need for local resources to benefit locals.

“In the words of His Excellency, the President of the nation of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’, and we welcome investors who are committed to creating value and prosperity for our people,” he said.

“We are committed to ensuring that our natural resources are exploited in a responsible and sustainable manner, for the benefit of all Zimbabweans. This statement is laudable and statesmanlike and Bravura is committed to this economic growth and development,” said Mr Macjuile.

“Bravura is poised to make a significant impact on the continent’s mining industry, unlocking Africa’s vast mineral resources for the benefit of all Africans.”

He said the company’s commitment to Zimbabwe has seen it employing the majority of Zimbabweans to enjoy investment spin-offs.

“As you know Bravura is a company registered here in Zimbabwe and about virtually 98 percent of our staff currently, are from the nation of Zimbabwe,” said Mr Macjuile.

He said Bravura shares President Mnangagwa’s vision that Africa needs African solutions to its challenges.
“We are a pan-African company, pan-African in the sense that the management and the leadership of Bravura is very concerned and believes in the continent of Africa that Africans are able to cater for themselves. Africans are well-endowed with resources that will enable the continent to develop itself,” he said.

Mr Macjuile commended the Zimbabwean Government for supporting its projects in the country.
He said the company has since introduced a graduate trainee programme as part of its efforts to ensure that Zimbabweans become part of the company.

“We have a graduate trainee programme whereby young Zimbabweans, who just left universities have been absorbed into our group. They undergo a training whereby there is a transfer of knowledge and this goes for two years,” said Mr Macjuile.

“We have persons who have been with us, we call them graduate interns. They’ve been with us for a year plus now and the plan of the company is that by the time they complete two years, they will be reintegrated into the company and another set will be taken,” he said.

Mr Macjuile said when the Bravura Lithium Project comes to life, it will also prioritise the employment of locals in line with the national policy and its development agenda that locals should benefit from its resources within their communities. —@nqotshili