Mining should put Zimbabwe first

MINING companies must ensure protection of natural ecosystem and resources for
future generations by practising responsible mining, President Emmerson
Mnangagwa has said.

Addressing more than 3 000 people during the commissioning of the US$300 million
Petalite and Spodumene processing plants at Bikita Minerals, President Mnangagwa
said the Second Republic prioritised environmental matters.

“As Zimbabwe we equally remain alive to our broader strategic responsibility to
supply vital resources to a vast number of global industries for shared prosperity.

“We will, therefore, continue to exercise good stewardship over the many natural
resources in our country by ensuring that stakeholders in the sector practise
responsible mining that guarantees environmental sustainability,” he said.

“To date the responsible mining initiative launched by my administration has
prioritised environmental matters and scaled up the protection of our natural
ecosystem and resources to both present and future generations.”

President Mnangagwa said through the whole of Government approach, his
administration is minimising environmental harm and biodiversity loss, while
maximising benefits for the investors and communities.

“As we carry out mining at this place, we are taking the mineral in the belly of the soil
it does not grow again. Five generations to come will read about the time when the
things were once here, so when we do so, we must remember that we are not the
last generation of this country and resources should be used for the betterment not
only of our generation but those to come.”

President Mnangagwa said government remains committed to putting people,
nature, lives and livelihoods at the heart of climate change action agenda.

“I once again call upon the mining stakeholders to scale up the use of good mining
practices that minimise land degradation, pollution as well as soil and water
contamination. The overarching need to grow the bottom line must never be at the
expense of the laws of the country or the well-being of our people who must see
transformative changes to their quality of life as a result of our country’s rich and
numerous resources.”

“I challenge all mining houses to adhere to agreed roadmaps to enable the
establishment of more precious metal refineries and the local manufacturing of
finished goods from our vast minerals. This has become urgent given the need to de-
risk our mining sector from global shocks and price volatility.”

China’s Sinomine Resource Group took over the Bikita Minerals which is the largest
lithium mine in the country last year at a cost of US$180 million.

The expansion of the Petalite and Spodumene plants is expected to produce 480
000 tonnes and 300 000 tonnes respectively.

Meanwhile, speaking at the same event the Vice President General (Rtd)
Constantino Chiwenga said the mining projects will have a significant impact on the
country’s objectives through the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

“It is anticipated that mining operations in Masvingo Province will also drive the
nation’s economic expansion as we move to attain Vision 2030. I implore everyone
to take heed of the President’s clarion call that everyone involved in the lithium
industry should engage in responsible mining. This is a topic of uttermost important
because the goal of responsible mining involves the extraction and use of valuable
minerals with the least possible negative effects on the environment surrounding
communities,” he said, urging mining companies to practise responsible mining to
ensure protection of natural ecosystems and resources for future generations.

“As Zimbabwe we equally remain alive to our broader strategic responsibility to
supply vital resources to a vast number of global industries for shared prosperity. We
will, therefore, continue to exercise good stewardship over the many natural
resources in our country by ensuring that stakeholders in the sector practice
responsible mining that guarantees environmental sustainability,” he said.

“To date the responsible mining initiative launched by my administration has
prioritised environmental matters and scaled up the protection of our natural
ecosystem and resources to both present and future generations.”

He said through the whole of government approach, government is minimising
environmental harm and biodiversity loss while maximising benefits for the investors
and communities.

“As we carry out mining at this place, we are taking the mineral in the belly of the soil
it does not grow again. Five generations to come will read about the time when the
things were once here so when we do so we must remember that we are not the last
generation of this country and resources should be used for the betterment not only
of our generation but those to come.”