…800 jobs for locals
TONDERAI SAHARO
MASVINGO-The discovery of limestone at Eldorado farm in Manyama area, Masvingo Rural is set to transform the lives of villagers as over 800 villagers are to be directly employed by the mine.
A group of local entrepreneurs are leading the exploration of the precious stones and have partnered with a Chinese owned Chivhu based Dinson Iron and Steel Company in extracting lime for its plant.
Dinson is a subsidiary of China’s largest stainless steel manufacturer, Tsingshan Holdings Group Limited and has a US$1.5 billion integrated steel plant in Manhize, close to Chivhu and Mvuma.
The plant is one of the biggest steel processing in Africa.
Don Madyira, one of the partners in Benefactors Pioneers Pvt Ltd told The Midweek Watch during a recent tour of the mine that the mining venture will greatly contribute to the national steel production volumes.
“We have partnered with Dinson Iron and Steel Company to extract lime here in Masvingo and they will be transported to their Manhize plant for steel manufacturing.
“The mining venture is expected to last for the next 15 years as preliminary findings showed that the resource can last up to that long,” he said.
Besides contributing to the success story of the national iron and steel production volumes, Madyira added that local authorities are also set to benefit from the venture as the company intends to add value to the stones by processing lime chemicals used in the water purification process.
Work in the extraction of the stones is already in progress with key machinery for the project already on site.
Minister of state for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira endorsed the project as a key economic driver for the province’s gross domestic product.
At least 6 households have been affected by the mine and modalities are already in motion to relocate and compensate them.
Chief Nemamwa whose area the mine is located was upbeat about the venture and said the community has started witnessing massive developments as the mining activities begin.
“This is a positive development for the community, we are grateful for the discovery of the mineral in my area, our children are going to be employed by the mine.
“We have started witnessing developments taking place like roads are being rehabilitated in communities surrounding the mine, as a community we are grateful and hoping to see more developments taking place,” he said.
