Maravi

(ZIMPAPERS0 Mzembi castigates Renco Mine

Mzembi castigates Renco Mine
Sunday, 26 June 2011 01:26 Local News
Sunday Mail Reporter

TOURISM and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi, who is also the House of Assembly member for Masvingo South, has lambasted gold mining concern Renco Mine for failing to carry out developmental projects in his constituency.

Minister Mzembi castigated the company, a subsidiary of Australian diversified concern Rio Tinto, for failing to repair roads and neglecting irrigation projects in the area despite reaping huge profits from its mining activities.

Speaking during a field day hosted for farmers in his constituency recently, Minister Mzembi said Renco Mine, one of the leading gold producing companies in the country, should vacate the area if not interested in pursuing community development and social responsibility programmes.

“I am saddened that despite making huge profits from this area, Renco Mine is not giving back to the community,” he said.

“This is unacceptable if one considers that it is one of the biggest mining firms in this country. It’s either you shape up or ship out of this area.”

Minister Mzembi said roads in his constituency were in a deplorable state owing to the heavy trucks owned by the mining company which patrol the area.

“For many years, Renco Mine has been using our roads,” he said.

“Most of the roads have become difficult to navigate because the heavy trucks that are owned by Renco Mine have damaged them.

“They carry their gold and make promises to repair the roads, but they do not stick to their promises. It makes sense for the company to assist in the repair of these roads, but, unfortunately, we are not seeing any commitment from them in this regard.”

Minister Mzembi also castigated the mining firm for neglecting irrigation projects that it set up in the 1990s.

- The Sunday Mail

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Labels: RIO TINTO, WALTER MZEMBI

posted by MrK @ 5:13 PM