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Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau

The commissioning of the multi-million-dollar Biotech mining plant by President Mnangagwa at RioZim’s Cam and Motor Mine in Kadoma yesterday is a major development for Mashonaland West province, with an economic sector anchored around mining and farming, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Mary Mliswa-Chikoka has said.

Speaking at the commissioning of the plant, she said the auspicious event showcased the positive relationship between the Second Republic and the private sector.

“The commissioning of the RioZim Cam and Motor Mine Biox Plant is a game changer in the operation of Cam and Motor and proves to the people that indeed Zimbabwe is open for business,” Minister Mliswa-Chikoka.

“It is a culmination of determined efforts by the Government of Zimbabwe and RioZim Limited to ensure they bring great development to Zimbabwe and our province.

“It is a testament to the good positive relationship shared with the private sector and our Government that you have ushered in under your wise leadership in the Second Republic, Your Excellency.”

Minister Mliswa-Chikoka said the development was going to increase the province’s contribution towards the nation’s gross domestic product, with the province already third after the two metropolitan provinces of Bulawayo and Harare

“The plant will open room for employment, progress and empowerment locally,” she said.

“The province also aims to contribute significantly towards the mining sector’s vision of a US$12 billion industry by 2023.

“We can achieve Vision 2030 through direct and indirect employment creation, increased gold export revenues and advancement of the mining sector by implementing better technologies.”

The desire of the province was to have modern communities benefiting from the companies operating within it through their corporate social responsibility activities in line with the nation’s mantra of leaving no place or person behind.

Minister Mliswa-Chikoka said the mining investment was going to help the nation attain the US$12 billion mining industry envisaged by next year.

Cam and Motor Mine general manager, Mr Akim Mutiti, said the new plant was going to pump life into the mine that closed in 1968 before its resuscitation in 2015.

The high-tech plant would also promote employment creation.

A worker at the mine, Mr Leonard Hungwe, lauded the company’s decision to explore the environmentally-friendly biotech move which is also aimed at securing their jobs.

The mine has been failing to reap more from its production due to the high sulphide ores it digs up.

The new plant uses bacteria to eat away sulphur from the ore, and so is expected not only to improve the mine’s operations, but to increase forex revenue inflows.

In his remarks, Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister, Dr Polite Kambamura, said President Mnangagwa’s leadership was promoting the nation’s drive towards an upper-middle-income economy by  2030.