Zim mining indaba set for next week

Published: 19 March 2014

Business Reporter
The Zimbabwe Chamber of Small Scale Entrepreneur (ZCSME) will next week host a mining indaba in Gweru whose primary focus is to foster a collective working relationship between miners and government, as well as tackle problems threatening the viability of mining industry.

The indaba will run from March 27 to 28.

ZCSME provincial chair person, Rabson Hove said some of the topics and issues that would be discussed include building sustainable communities through mining, the new generation of miners with main focus on women and youths, transparency and governance in mining and policy clarity.

"Without the continuous dialogue between policy makers and stakeholders the mining sector will operate in a silo and both the mining sector and Midlands province will neither attract the requisite funding required to benefit the country, nor will the sector negotiate mining deals in a position of strength," Hove said.

He also urged the Government and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to harmonise and develop policy initiatives that support beneficiation and sustainable economic development for small scale miners in the province.

"Government and EMA should implement policies that bolster the benefits of mineral resources in terms of value, the creation of employment and a manufacturing base, skills and technology transfer, as well as sustainable economic development," he said.

The minister of Mines and Mining Development Walter Chidhakwa and his deputy Fred Moyo are expected to make key presentations at the indaba.

Other high profile delegates include the minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Stembiso Nyoni, the deputy minister of Industry and Commerce, Miners Federation representatives, and the Chamber of Mines president.
- zimmail

Tags: Mining,