The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) has appointed five entities and three individuals to be subagents following Statutory Instrument (SI) 256 of 2019 which allows subagents to buy semi-precious stones (coloured gemstones) from small-scale miners and sell the stones through the entity.
Anerudo Mapuranga
The three individuals are renowned Mineral Economic Expert Lyman Mlambo, Innocent Majoni and Givemore Karichi have been licensed to buy gemstones while Boldtouch Trading, Rawbright Mining Consultancy (PVT LTD), Suzan General Trading, Merit Diamond Cutting and Polishing and Passpoint publishers are the companies given the go-ahead to trade in gemstones in the country.
The MMCZ said the registration of subagents to become semi-precious stone traders in the country is still in progress, therefore, is calling for individuals and companies interested to apply.
“MMCZ wishes to inform Zimbabwean citizens (individuals and companies) that invitations to submit an expression of interest to be considered and licenced as MMCZ subagents are still open. The purchase of coloured gemstones and selling same through the Corporation will be done in accordance to the MMCZ Act, Chapter 21:04,” MMCZ said in a statement.
Through its General Manager Mr Tongai Muzenda, MMCZ is upbeat to tap into the global growing demand for coloured gemstones which are expected to improve every year by 4.4 per cent from 2020 to 2026 as it seeks to make a significant mark towards the achievement of the upper middle-income economy by 2030.
Muzenda said MMCZ was however going to first create a friendly environment for gemstone miners, traders and cutters by creating a local market centre.
“Our vision is to turn around the gemstones sector into a US$1 billion industry by 2030. This starts by creating reliable sources for gemstones. Development of convenient trading centres in gem-stone producing regions where miners link up with gemstone processors. In the end, we hope to see more cutting and polishing centres for gemstones, research hubs in tertiary institutions and technologies in cutting and polishing of coloured,” Muzenda said.