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Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
Government will on May 15 sign a major framework agreement that would see more than $730 million worth of investment coming into the mining sector, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando has said.

In an interview on the sidelines of a tour of Shabanie Mine in Zvishavane, Minister Chitando said the greater part of the investment would go towards the coal bed methane project in Lupane.

“Very soon, we are seeing the coming on stream of coal bed methane (CBM) that would entail call bed methane gas being used for the production of fuel, power, fertiliser and pharmaceutical products.

“It is all secure and work on the ground will commence in July,” he said.

Minister Chitando said the country is targeting 30 tonnes of gold this year up from 24 tonnes produced last year.

He said in the long term, the country is targeting producing 80 tonnes of gold per annum.

Minister Chitando said the entire mining sector was poised for major growth in the next five years.

“We have a five-year plan, which will see the mining industry increasing significantly. I will start with coal. Last year, we did about 2 million tonnes, but from 2019 we will be doing around 8 million tonnes per annum. In gold, we did 24 tonnes last year, and this year, we are targeting around 30 tonnes.

“Our five-year plan on gold output is to produce about 70 tonnes per annum. On platinum we are looking at doubling the output especially with the great dyke investment that is coming.

“In terms of ferrochrome production, we are looking forward to increasing from 300 000 tonnes per year to about 600 000 tonnes per year within the next five years.

“So, we are seeing a massive increase in production in the mining sector. Iron is also coming on stream and asbestos too,” he said.