Zimpapers Logo

Mthabisi Tshuma, Business Correspondent
SOUTH Africa-headquartered mining consortium, Opinor Mining, is expanding its footprint into the country which augers with the Government’s “Zimbabwe is open for business” mantra and US$12 billion mining industry by 2023.

Following the ushering in of the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa in November 2017, the new political dispensation has adopted the “Zimbabwe is open for business” policy with a view of attracting foreign direct investment into the country across economic sectors.

In 2019, the Government also launched an ambitious mining strategic roadmap to unlock the US$12 billion milestone by 2023.

The strategic roadmap is one of the key priorities of transforming the country’s economy and widening job opportunities in line with vision 2030.

Under vision 2030, Zimbabwe aims to achieve an upper middle-income economy with a per capita income of US$3 500.

Speaking from South Africa, Opinor Mining founder, Mr Daniel Da Silva said their expansion into Zimbabwe was in response to invitations by the Second Republic to foreign investors to invest in different economic sectors in the country.

“For us to set up base in Zimbabwe, this was because we explored a few countries to mine in and Zimbabwe through its business-friendly atmosphere appealed to us.

“Also, it was because it is vastly unexplored and untouched coupled with very rich mineral deposits,” said Mr Da Silva.

“We are predominantly focused on Gold and PGMs (Platinum Group Metals).

“Currently, the company is doing gold exploration in two areas in Matabeleland and we hope to grow to each and every part of the country mining different minerals,” he said.

Recently, the mining consortium team accompanied by Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development chairperson, Mr Edmond Mkaratigwa was in Chachacha Village in Shurugwi where it met rural women to encourage them to join the mining industry.

The meeting also was in support of the broad-based economic empowerment initiative, which the ruling revolutionary party, Zanu-PF, was spearheading calling on women and the youth to venture into different sectors of the economy.

Opinor Mining manager based in Zimbabwe, Mr Bakani Matiwaza said their expansion into Zimbabwe has created employment in the country.

“Opinor Mining currently has 30 employees. As a company we have vast geological knowledge from experienced individuals that have run big mines in South Africa.

“We want to be a force to reckon and ensure that the mining sector is never the same again and becomes one of the pillars in achieving the National Development Strategy 1 through the US$12 billion milestone,” he said.

The mining sector is critical in generating foreign currency, contributing about 70 percent of the country’s forex earnings.

The projected increase to US$12 billion in mining earnings represents a 344 percent jump from US$2,7 billion achieved in 2017.

By 2030, Government expects that the mining industry will be generating upwards of US$20 billion. – @mthabisi_mthire