MARTIN MAWAYA
KWEKWE –Chinese-owned Ming Chang Sino-Africa Mining Investments (Pvt) Ltd, has invested more than $13 million in a crushing circuit, heap leach pads, and a 15 km 33kV electricity upgrade line at its Indarama Mine.
Through these investments, the company has managed to increase its gold production from an average of 14 kg per month to 26 kg in June 2024.
This was revealed by Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Owen Ncube during a tour of the mine in Kwekwe on Tuesday.
Besides the Indarama Mine, Ming Chang also runs Bell and JoJo mines, which were established through the close relationship between Zimbabwe and the People’s Republic of China.
Ncube said the massive investment is a confirmation of the positive impact of the government’s re-engagement policy in promoting economic recovery and growth through private sector.
“It is through this Private Sector-led growth roadmap that Zimbabwe shall attain the national vision of a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income economy earlier than 2030,” Ncube said.
He said the mining operations show that the company has the potential to contribute immensely towards the growth of the Midlands Provincial GDP and accelerate the attainment of the national target of a $12 billion mining economy by 2025.
However, the minister emphasized the need for mining companies to comply with various laws, including the Mines and Minerals Act, Environmental Management Act, Labor Act, Urban and Rural District Councils Act, and Immigration Act, among others.
Ncube stressed the importance of addressing the welfare of workers and the local community, including providing decent housing, ablution, and medical facilities, as well as respecting workers’ rights and providing safety equipment.
“It is unacceptable for workers to stay under deplorable conditions that include overcrowding, limited access to decent housing, ablution and medical facilities. All workers, whether skilled, semi-skilled or casual have their rights at work which should be respected. Failure to provide safety clothing and ill-treatment of workers is unacceptable in the Second Republic,” emphasized Ncube.
The former State security minister urged local authorities to implement President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for responsible mining and enforce compliance.
He also directed government agencies to continuously engage with miners to facilitate ease of doing business and ensure compliance with mining policies and procedures.
Ncube added that the mining sector should partner government to address challenges in their areas of operation, that include maintaining roads and implementation of sustainable corporate social responsibility programs for local communities
The call for compliance and an end to the ill-treatment of workers comes at a time when cases of alleged labour malpractice and lethal incidents have reportedly increased in some Gweru-Chinese mining companies.
