Zimpapers Logo

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Manicaland Bureau
The Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) will commence full-scale mining operations at its diamond fields in Chimanimani in the next two months, as it moves to increase diamond production.

ZCDC acquired the claims in Chimanimani from DTZ-OZGEO this year. Addressing stakeholders at the diamond security feedback meeting in Mutare last Friday, ZCDC chief executive Dr Morris Mpofu said the company had already started moving equipment to the new mine.

“Since we acquired Chimanimani from DTZ-OZGEO, we have been conducting exploration and working on the infrastructure development. We had not started full-scale mining so now we have completed most of the processes and we have gone through the tender process with the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) for the contract miners. In the next 30-60 days we will be in full force mining in Chimanimani. We have already moved equipment to the mine,” he said.

He said the new mining operations would play an integral part in the economic growth of Manicaland and the country in general.

“Business growth is supposed to go on and on as we roll out new mining ventures for the benefit of the Manicaland province and the country. With the assistance of Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and environmental agencies, all things are going according to plan in line with mining laws and requirements,” he added.

ZCDC this year set aside at least $200 million to finance the opening of new mines in Manicaland as part of the mining group’s expansion initiative with the bulk of resources channelled towards conducting comprehensive exploration as well as opening additional mines, among other key priority areas.

The State miner has projected diamond production this year to increase to 3,5 million carats.

Dr Mpofu said the company was on a positive path towards increasing diamond production and achieving set targets.

“We need to have clarity of vision and that vision gets disturbed if we do not invest appropriately in diamond security and community development,” he said.

Speaking at the same event, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba said the coming together of stakeholders was important in ensuring the security of the diamond sector.

“We should not have conflict when we are dealing with diamonds. We should not be fragmented but we need to come together as one and deliberate on important issues of security. In the past there was confusion and lack of coordination. That lack of coordination could disturb the smooth flow of business to diamond production, which can bring development to everyone,” she said.

“We cannot afford to ignore these fundamental issues because we are banking on the diamond resource to turn around the economy of this province and the nation at large.”