Roseline Mutare
Bikita-The long awaited construction of the new US$14m Birchenough Bridge which is set to change the economic fortunes of the growth point has begun courtesy of lithium miner, Sinomine Bikita Minerals Pvt Ltd.
Birchenough Bridge is called after Sir Henry Birchenough. Birchenough Bridge is located 62 km from Chipinge in the Manicaland province of Zimbabwe linking Chipinge with Buhera and was opened to traffic in 1935. The arch bridge across the mighty Save River is 329m long.
Zimbabwe’s largest lithium miner, is set to construct a new bridge over the Save River, replacing the 88-year-old Birchnough Bridge. The project, valued at $14 million, is meant to establish a crucial economic corridor between Masvingo and Manicaland provinces all the way to Mozambique.
Currently the bridge, due to aging limits the vehicle tonnage to less than 25tonnes and that reduces the lithium miner’s capacity to ferry the mineral to port Beira enroute to China for processing hence the need to have a bigger bridge across Save River to allow it to transport more tonnage of the precious raw material.
Collen Nikisi, Sinomine Bikita Minerals’ public relations officer, confirmed this during a parliamentary visit held at the giant miner recently.
“Drilling is currently underway, and the new bridge will provide vital economic linkage between the two provinces of Manicaland and Masvingo as well as facilitate passage to South Africa and Mozambique, the bridge is expected to enhance economic activity, creating a thriving market for businesses, farmers, and the local community,” said Nikisi.
During a meeting with the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development which is chaired by Remigious Matangira, Nikisi outlined some of the project’s benefits.
“The new bridge will not only improve transportation but also improve the country’s infrastructure, Bikita Minerals has also allocated funds for road construction and repair in Bikita and Gutu districts,” said Nikisi.
Meanwhile, acting Chief Marozva, real name Ishmael Mude, bemoaned lack of legislation compelling mining companies to develop local communities.
“I urge you, the committee, you are the lawmakers, the challenge we have in the mining industry is that the Mining Act favors the investors not the community, if it is not rectified the communities will continue wallow in poverty, I urge you to help rectify the act as a matter of urgency,” said Chief Marozva.
