-Chinese ambassador decry negative stories
SYDNEY MUBAIWA
HARARE-The 12th edition of the Mining Media Awards held in Harare last night brought together top industry leaders, diplomats, and journalists under the theme ‘Stories of Growth & Sustainability.‘
The event, organised by MEJRKH Communications and Media Advisory in partnership with the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), celebrated excellence in mining journalism while placing a spotlight on sustainable development and responsible resource governance.
Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding and Kuvimba Mining House CEO Trevor Barnard delivered keynote speeches that underscored the role of ethical reporting, community-focused mining, and strengthened partnerships in transforming Zimbabwe’s extractive sector.
He highlighted China’s longstanding role as Zimbabwe’s largest foreign investor, emphasising that Chinese capital continues to drive jobs, value addition, and infrastructure development.
Ambassador Zhou revealed that over 1,400 new Chinese companies registered in Zimbabwe in the past three years, with mining accounting for the biggest chunk.
He said Chinese-linked operations such as Dinson, Steel employ thousands and contribute to human capital development through training partnerships with colleges in both countries.
Zhou also celebrated the shift from raw mineral exports to domestic value addition, citing Dinson’s steel plant, which now produces 600,000 tonnes of steel annually for local and regional markets. He noted that Chinese firms are developing environmental management systems and investing in clean energy, including 1,000 megawatts of planned solar projects.
However, he warned against what he called “exaggerated or fabricated narratives” targeting Chinese enterprises, saying over 80% of allegations studied by the embassy were unfounded and risked harming the country’s investment climate.
“Judging our cooperation should be based on facts, not fiction,” Zhou said. “We welcome constructive, fact-based criticism. This is how we improve.”
He urged the media to uphold professionalism in an era of social media misinformation, promising the embassy’s support in facilitating access to accurate information.
Speaking at the same event, Kuvimba CEO Trevor Barnard echoed the theme of transparency and sustainability, emphasising that the mining sector is the custodian of national mineral wealth and must act with integrity.
“Sustainability is not a regulatory requirement but a strategic imperative,” he said.
He outlined key pillars for building mutual trust in the sector—integrity, transparent communication, cross-sector collaboration, business excellence, and effective stakeholder engagement.
Barnard said responsible mining requires environmental stewardship and proactive engagement with communities where operations take place, adding that trust is earned through “consistent actions” and a commitment to shared values.
He praised journalists whose work continues to shape public understanding of the mining industry.
“Your dedication to authentic storytelling helps build public trust,” he said, adding that the awards are a testament to the impact of ethical journalism.
This year’s awards followed a strict submission window, accepting entries published between November 26, 2024, and October 31, 2025. The call for entries opened on September 18 and closed on October 17 and witnessed 99 submissions as compared to 98 last year.
