Speaking in a speech read on his behalf at the Mining, Engineering and Transport Expo, Mine Entra Conference in Bulawayo on Wednesday, (CMZ) president Winston Chitando said since 1999, the mining industry has significantly lost on a number of producers and the level of production has continued to decrease.
"The gold industry for example at 12992 kg per year is 48% of the peak of 27114 kg realised in 1999. No primary nickel production is happening .Coal production is at very low levels and there is no asbestos and iron ore mining currently taking place," said Chitando in the speech read by Herbert Mashanyare, the chairman of the COMZ Platinum Producers Committee.
Chitando said the current government indigenisation and economic empowerment framework should ensure that the mining sector continues to attract investment.
" The mining industry has always been on record regarding its support of the principle of indigenisation and economic empowerment .There is however need for an operational framework that leads to growth and continued investment in the mining sector," he said. Chitando also called upon the government to formulate and adopt a National Mineral Development Policy which allows all stakeholders to understand the intentions of the government and how the mineral resources development fit into the overall development agenda of the country.
"Such policy is long overdue. Clarity of policy is important in attracting investment and based on the policy on specific minerals, efforts to mobilise resources for the development of the said is thus more focused," he said.
Chatando also complained about mining fees and charges which he said are unworkable. "These fees if maintained will halt further exploration activities, inhibit small scale mining and impose a significant new burden on existing mines.
They were adopted without stakeholder consultation and are in excess of what might be reasonable in term of funding the costs of administering the Mines and Minerals Act," he added.
The opening of the expo was however marred by electricity blackout which resulted in exhibitors failing to showcase their products which needed electricity. Over 6,500 square metres of space has been booked for this year's edition of the Mine Entra which will end on Friday.
Post published in: Mining