Source: Share mineral wealth spin-offs: VP Chiwenga – herald
Mukudzei Chingwere in MANHIZE, Chivhu
Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has congratulated mining sector investors who responded to the Government’s call for investment at the dawn of the Second Republic, particularly amid a sustained rally in global metal prices.
He encouraged the investors to ensure that the benefits of their ventures are shared across the country.
VP Chiwenga made the remarks in an interview on the sidelines of his tour of strategic economic projects in the Midlands Province.
He noted that as of March this year, the All Metals Price Index, which measures average global metal prices, has recorded a 55 percent rise since 2017, leading to substantial returns for mining companies.
In light of this sharp increase, the Vice President said the economic spin-offs should benefit those actively involved in the extraction of these valuable minerals.
“A big congratulations to those who heeded the call by His Excellency, President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, and invested in this jewel,” said VP Chiwenga.
“Today we are witnessing a sharp increase in the All Metals Price Index by a massive 55 percent from 2017. Gold, for example, has seen a whopping 350 percent rise to the current level, and I think this is unprecedented.
“But all this does not mean anything if the miners do not correspondingly consider the plight of the community in particular, and the nation in general.”
On the final day of his three-day tour of the Midlands, VP Chiwenga visited the Dinson Iron and Steel Company in Manhize, assessing strategic economic projects and their contributions to local communities and the national economy. He also toured Bata Shoe Company and Sino Zimbabwe Cement in Gweru.
Earlier in his tour, he visited Zhe Lithium Mine in Zvishavane, Sandawana Mine in Mberengwa, as well as Sable Chemicals, Zimchem, Intrachem and Global Union Alloy in Kwekwe.
These visits follow similar tours he conducted in Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North and Bulawayo Province last year.
Speaking at Dinson Iron and Steel Company, VP Chiwenga acknowledged ongoing negotiations between Dinson and ZISCO Steel, which hold significant potential for reviving Zimbabwe’s steel industry.
“This facility is a symbol of Zimbabwe’s industrial revitalisation and a testament to the comprehensive strategic partnership between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Zimbabwe,” said VP Chiwenga.
“Government remains committed to ensuring that these partnerships drive value‑added industrial growth, utilising Chinese expertise and investment to advance Zimbabwe’s economic transformation. Government urges you to enhance skills and technology transfer programmes to benefit the local community.”
Zimbabwe’s ambitious quest for an empowered upper‑middle‑income economy by 2030 continues to gather momentum, supported by marked improvements in the country’s industrial capacities.
Industrial revitalisation and recovery remain central to the country’s sustainable economic growth, and since the advent of the Second Republic, the Government has been implementing strategies to achieve these objectives.
At the conclusion of his tour yesterday, VP Chiwenga expressed satisfaction with the progress made by the companies he visited, urging them to maintain their momentum and prioritise delivering tangible results instead of engaging in endless boardroom discussions.
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