THE Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development will next month hold a meeting aimed at unlocking the potential value of base metals and gemstones in the country’s economy.
ZMF public relations manager Mr Dosman Mangisi said the two-day meeting to be held in Gweru on 10-11 September seeks to unravel vast opportunities existing in the country’s base minerals and gemstone industry.
“This is a great convention where we are unlocking potential and value in base minerals as well as gemstones. It will offer that opportunity to unveil opportunities that these minerals can play in economic development taking cognisance of the role which the mining sector plays towards achieving vision 2030,” he said.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando and Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube are expected to grace the occasion, which would also attract mining experts drawn across the country.
Mr Mangisi said not much attention has been made to promote the exploitation of base metals and gemstones in the country as most focus is mainly directed towards gold production.
“Much focus is on gold and to a certain extent diamond, but we also have other minerals that have the potential of playing a critical role in the economic turnaround strategy. The focus will be on how to fully benefit from base minerals like chrome, copper, tantalite and other unrecognised minerals. We will look at how these minerals can benefit the economy,” said Mr Mangisi.
Zimbabwe is home to large deposits of semi-precious minerals such as agate, amethyst, alexandrite, aquamarine and heliodor, among others, with an estimated value of US$20 billion.
However, the minerals are largely under-explored and remain a target for smuggling by international cartels of dealers_The Sunday News