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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]

THE newly-established Gwanda Lithium Mine Zimbabwe at Mandihongola area in Matabeleland South province has ushered in numerous business and employment opportunities for ordinary people in the district as well as qualified personnel.

A total of 300 workers, mainly locals, have already been employed at the giant mining firm, which is yet another milestone investment under the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa.

Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Evelyn Ndlovu, conducted a tour of the US$54 million project where massive equipment has been installed ahead of commencement of production sometime in April. 

Hlabathi Milling managing director Mr Kiliboni Mavula said they have established a catering business to supply the mine workers with food and would be buying maize from the community to produce mealie meal while buying livestock from locals for meat.

Mr Mavula said their catering business has employed 10 people and at its peak they were expecting sales of up to US$10 000 within two weeks.

“At first we were operating Mavula Milling. When the mine opened we sat down to figure out how we could supply our mealie meal to the mine,” he said. 

“The company gave us a contract to offer catering services at the mine. Our business has grown from just offering milling services to catering as well. 

“This has helped to boost our business and we have also managed to employ some people in the community. We get some of our supplies like maize, vegetables and livestock from the community,” said Mr Mavula.

“We buy about 200 heads of cabbages in a week from community members and chickens from women who run these projects locally. As the mine expands and more people are employed it will mean that more business opportunities will arise for locals,” he said.

Mr Mandisa Ndlovu (26) who is employed as an accountant by Gwanda Lithium Mine Zimbabwe said it is pleasing to see that the company has not only reserved manual jobs for locals but also skilled professionals.

He is a holder of a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Banking and Investment Management from the National University of Science and Technology.

“It’s very rare to get such a post for such as big company in the rural areas. I’m grateful to have been given this opportunity. I can work from the comfort of my rural home,” he said.

Ms Praymore Ncube (25) who is a cleaner said the money she was now earning is way better than what she was getting as a domestic worker.

Mr Boeketo Abu-Basutu (37) who is a local community liaison officer said he plays a crucial role of representing the community of Ward 11.

 His task is to ensure that the company plays its social responsibility role while creating good working relations between the company and the community. 

The new mining venture is a subsidiary of Chinese global investor Tsingshan Holdings Limited Groups, which is also setting up the giant US$1.5 billion Dinson Iron and Steel plant in Mvuma, Midlands province and two other subsidiaries including Dinson Colliery in Hwange, Matabeleland North province and Afrochine Smelting in Selous near Chegutu, Mashonaland West province. 

Dinson had earlier expressed interest in setting up a lithium battery manufacturing plant and later secured lithium mining claims in Gwanda where it expects to produce millions of tonnes of lithium concentrate annually to support the high-value battery project.–@DubeMatutu