The Rhodesia Herald, January 10, 1972
BIG mining prospects for Matabeleland are believed to lie under the blanket of secrecy screening massive drilling activity in many parts of the province.
A total of 298 mining claims were registered in Matabeleland during 1971 and eight new Exclusive Prospecting Orders were issued.
Added to 13 EPOs issued earlier and still in force, 21 EPOs are now being operated in this area.
Nickel strikes at Shangani and Inyati, with the Shangani Mine planned as a $27 million development, head the list of projects no longer secret.
The start of production at the Shangani project has been postponed for “one or two years”, but preliminary work is continuing.
In August 1970, when the $3m ELL Copper Mine at Gwaai River opened, Mr W. L. Spence, chairman of Gwaai River Mines and general manager of Messian (Tvl.) Development Co. said that Messina’s Rhodesian mines would reach a new production ceiling in the next few years.
Production figures are secret, but, by inference, Mr Spence indicated a total Rhodesian Messina output of $100 million.
The Matabeleland mines will obviously figure in that target.
LESSONS FOR TODAY
- Zimbabwe is endowed with rich mineral resources that have seen President Mnangagwa in 2022, commissioning projects worth billions of US dollars.
- Mining projects worth over US$10 billion were commissioned in the platinum, gold and lithium mining industries.
- The mining projects commissioned include Blanket Gold Mine in Gwanda, Matabeleland South Province. The President also presided over the ground-breaking ceremony of the Sabi Star Lithium Mine in Buhera district, Manicaland Province. Production is expected to commence this year.
- These projects will propel economic growth during the current year and will accelerate Government’s ambition in transforming the mining sector into a US$12 billion export industry by year-end.
- Lithium is one of the world’s most sought after minerals and Government has put in place statutory mechanisms to ensure that value addition is done locally.
- As more mineral ore deposits are discovered around the country, emphasis should be on local ownership, job and wealth creation and value addition, for the benefit of the country’s citizens.
- Although small-scale miners have contributed to economic growth, Government should ensure that all mines and miners are registered, and that they follow the laws of the land, and conserve the environment.