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participated in the shooting of the “Let’s Go Zero – Zero Harm is Possible” campaign video initiative by Mimosa Mining Company. May his soul rest in peace

Away from the tragic incident, this week Zimbabwe’s top miners converge on the Eastern Highlands for the Chamber of Mines Annual General Meeting against the backdrop of huge expectations from restless local suppliers and manufacturers who feel left out in the cold by the resurgent sector.

The AGM is also set against swelling demands by Government for clarity on the value addition of minerals particularly given the closure of many once promising companies.

Against this background are also experiences at New ZimSteel, which relaunched last year amid much pomp and fanfare but to this day is yet to start operating. Rather it has dashed the hopes of residents of Redcliff and surrounding areas who were hopeful of finding gainful employment after years of inactivity.

The failure to take off has also hit hard the City of Kwekwe where companies such as Lancashire Steel and many others that depend on the activities at the steel processor.

Hopefully, as our miners meet, they will engage in discussions that speak to these concerns and will locate themselves beyond the extractive industry but situate discussions  in the broader value chain where industry and related economic sectors have space. Indeed, without forging linkages between mining and other sectors success can only be short-lived.

While the challenges that the miners face given an increasingly complex socio-economic environment and dwindling mineral prices are understandable, it is still anticipated that they must clearly articulate their role in the economic development of Zimbabwe, especially on mechanisms to strengthen local procurement.

Admittedly gone are the days when the Chamber of Mines and the organisations it represents were seen as largely foreign-dominated entities that had no link to the domestic economy and were driven by selfish desires to extract natural resources and make money to used or abuse in their own capitals.

The presidency of Winston Chitando in particular seems to have provided sufficient emphasis on how the local mining industry can become an enabling instrument of development.

Statistics also point out that platinum miners in general and Mimosa and Zimplats in particular have taken deliberate steps to empower the local businessperson. Both have dedicated significant sums to building the capacity of local entrepreneurs.

In its last quarterly report Zimplats says it spent more than US$40 million on the local entrepreneurs and Mimosa has previously reported of figures above US$70 million. That should be commended and emulated by all.

Unfortunately, these noble efforts are very isolated and worsened by a lack of coherent policy or programme that speaks broadly on the commitment of the sector.

The AGM should thus take it upon itself to speak more clearly on efforts aimed at ensuring that its Joint Suppliers and Local Procurement Sub-Committee goes beyond lip service but actually delivers on its mandate.

Miners too must recognise that they are part and parcel of a broader economy and that many of their policy-related concerns can be tackled in unison with other sectors of the country who still remember the promise to hold a previously postponed Buy Zimbabwe-Chamber of Miners Suppliers Forum.

Over the past week, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has also been going around the country seeking views on its new mining development policy. What has emerged is that other sectors of Zimbabwean society feel left out on deliberations that concern issues pertaining to the mining sector.

The raging debate on indigenisation also suggests that the success of mining requires a multi-faceted approach that brings together various parties to share ideas and exchange experiences.

Of course, it has also been interesting that across all areas where submissions have been gathered one issue that has come up has been the need for miners to set aside quotas for local procurement.

Well, the good news is that Buy Zimbabwe Procurement Conference which is pencilled in for May 27 in Harare takes place soon after the AGM when ideas are still fresh and hopefully the determination by miners  to engage other sectors is still very high.

The Procurement Conference will bring together policymakers, miners, manufacturers, bankers and telecommunication giants to discuss practical steps to be taken to advance the local procurement agenda.

The conference which will see the launch of the local procurement awards has also been designed in ways that will ensure that it also become a match-making event where companies that seek suppliers that meet particular specifications are brought together to a discussion of their products and services.

As earlier stated, a key weakness in our legal environment is the lack of a well-defined procurement law similar to the South African one which now mandates close to 80 percent local procurement and various forms of tax credits.

A central outcome of the conference is also to begin intense lobbying for tighter laws to ensure that we go beyond paying lip service to this highly critical matter.

Various Government ministries, bankers and parastatals have already confirmed participation at the conference whose keynote speakers include Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Mike Bimha and Zimra Commissioner- General Gershem Pasi.

Till next week, please make time and be at the conference whose agenda is to put money into the pocket of the local person rather than export it. It’s time to Buy Zimbabwe.
God Bless and always remember buying Zimbabwe is the best way of preserving our pride, creating wealth and jobs.

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