President Mnangagwa is on Monday expected to launch the
Strategic Roadmap for the achievement of a US$12 billion mining industry by
2023.
This was said by Mines and Mining Development Minister
Winston Chitando at a press conference this morning. Minister Chitando also
said a joint venture agreement will be signed between Katanga, a company
established by the Chiadzwa community and London Stock Exchange listed Vast
Resources and the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company.
“There will be an agreement which will be signed towards
the end of next week between Katanga and ZCDC. Essentially, the Chiadzwa
community were granted title over some diamond concession and they have gone
into a joint venture with Vast Resources which is quoted on the London Stock
Exchange,” he said.
“So Katanga will be signing a joint venture agreement with
ZCDC, which holds the mining title. As government, we are obviously pleased,”
said Chitando.
Despite discovering huge diamond deposits in the eastern
parts of the country over a decade ago, Zimbabwe is yet to realise meaningful
benefits from their exploitation.
Companies that were operating in Chiadzwa previously,
before their operations were almalgamated into the ZCDC, were accused of
widespread leakages of gems, with the late former President Robert Mugabe
saying the country could have been prejudiced of revenues amounting to $15
billion over the years.
While the figure remains contentious, no one has doubted
leakages in the sector.
New Ziana
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