ohhhh poor Zimbabwe, this is more riches for Mogabe and his entourage and more suffering for the Zimbabwean population.
Zimbabwe says it has discovered vast new diamond fields ‘almost the size of Swaziland’ and is planning to start mining there soon.
The southern African country has become one of the top diamond producers in the world after alluvial diamonds were discovered near its border with Mozambique in 2008.
Companies operating in the Chiadzwa diamond fields recently indicated that mining operations were becoming unviable as the alluvial diamond resources were running out.
Companies operating in the Chiadzwa diamond fields recently indicated that mining operations were becoming unviable as the alluvial diamond resources were running out.
More than five companies wanted to be allocated new claims saying underground mining would be too expensive in a country that is struggling to attract direct foreign investment.
According to state media, the new diamond fields are between Manicaland and Masvingo province, stretching over 10,000 square kilometres.
Zimbabwe says it has discovered vast new diamond fields ‘almost the size of Swaziland’ and is planning to start mining there soon.
The southern African country has become one of the top diamond producers in the world after alluvial diamonds were discovered near its border with Mozambique in 2008.
Companies operating in the Chiadzwa diamond fields recently indicated that mining operations were becoming unviable as the alluvial diamond resources were running out.
More than five companies wanted to be allocated new claims saying underground mining would be too expensive in a country that is struggling to attract direct foreign investment.
According to state media, the new diamond fields are between Manicaland and Masvingo province, stretching over 10,000 square kilometres.
Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Fred Moyo said the government had already begun mobilising funds to carry out exploration in the Umkondo basin.
He said a joint venture company was already exploring parts of the basin for diamonds.
“We are very much aware of the potential diamond reserves in the Umkondo Basin,” Mr Moyo was quoted saying.
“We are actually going to use part of our national budget allocation to send our experts to carry out exploration activities in the area.
“The Umkondo Basin is a reserved area. It has huge potential of diamond reserves and as government we need to urgently move in to determine the areas that possess a high concentration of diamonds.
“It is a very huge area. So, obviously the whole area cannot contain a large concentration of diamonds, but the fact is there is huge potential. What we need to do is mobilise funds to carry out extensive exploration that will determine the areas profitable to mine,” he added.
“We have not done much exploration of the basin, but the joint venture company is mining diamonds in Chimanimani and they are also carrying out exploration in the areas surrounding their concession.”
The discovery of more diamond fields comes at a time when President Robert Mugabe’s government has expressed concern about poor revenue inflows from companies mining the precious gems.
All the companies that were granted mining licenses at the Chiadzwa diamond fields formed joint ventures with the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation
Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister Fred Moyo said the government had already begun mobilising funds to carry out exploration in the Umkondo basin.
He said a joint venture company was already exploring parts of the basin for diamonds.
“We are very much aware of the potential diamond reserves in the Umkondo Basin,” Mr Moyo was quoted saying.
“We are actually going to use part of our national budget allocation to send our experts to carry out exploration activities in the area.
“The Umkondo Basin is a reserved area. It has huge potential of diamond reserves and as government we need to urgently move in to determine the areas that possess a high concentration of diamonds.
“It is a very huge area. So, obviously the whole area cannot contain a large concentration of diamonds, but the fact is there is huge potential. What we need to do is mobilise funds to carry out extensive exploration that will determine the areas profitable to mine,” he added.
“We have not done much exploration of the basin, but the joint venture company is mining diamonds in Chimanimani and they are also carrying out exploration in the areas surrounding their concession.”
The discovery of more diamond fields comes at a time when President Robert Mugabe’s government has expressed concern about poor revenue inflows from companies mining the precious gems.
All the companies that were granted mining licenses at the Chiadzwa diamond fields formed joint ventures with the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation
source: dailynation
source: dailynation
No comments:
Post a Comment