Maravi

(HERALD) Government hails diamond mines

Government hails diamond mines
Friday, 18 March 2011 00:00
From Tendai Mugabe in Marange

Government has hailed mining operations being conducted by the three companies that have been licensed to exploit diamonds in the Chiadzwa area of Marange. Mbada Diamonds, Marange Mineral Resources and Anjin Operations have established state-of-the-art machinery to mine the diamonds.

Speaking after a tour of the three companies facilities by a delegation of Permanent Secretaries from various Ministries yesterday, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Retired Colonel Christian Katsande said Government fully backed the mining houses.

The visit was directed by the Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Misheck Sibanda.

"We are on a mission of the Chief Secretary, visiting important developments such as this one. Yesterday (on Wednesday) we were in Chisumbanje where we visited the ethanol plant. Now we are here in the mining sector and we are looking at visiting other key productive sectors - the idea being that we want to follow through on major economic developments that can generate resources that can help us to deal with the economic sanctions.

"Clearly this (mining) sector is key and this is why you see Government being very supportive in this area.

"We are delighted to witness the effort you are doing on the ground. Expectations are high from the nation from this sector."

Rtd Col Katsande urged mining companies to capacitate local institutions that can manufacture presently imported spare parts as a way of dealing with the illegal Western sanctions on Zimbabwe.

Mbada Diamonds manager Mr Gerald Sithole said: "We are committed to fighting the economic sanctions."

Assistant to the president of Anjin Operations, Mr Bai Xiangqian, said he was happy with the support they were getting from Government.

"We got support from various ministries and I want to thank you for that," he said.

Among the delegation are Mr George Charamba (Media, Information and Publicity), Mr Killian Mupingo (Local Government, Rural and Urban Development), Mr Ngoni Masoka (Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development) Mr Martin Rushwaya (Defence) and Mrs Sophia Tsvakwi (Lands).

Labels: CHIADZWA, DIAMONDS

posted by MrK @ 7:41 PM