The Sunday News
Business Correspondent
CIVIL Society Organisations (CSOs) have applauded the Government for putting mining at the centre of the country’s economy and development agenda as included in the National Development Strategy1 (NDS1).
In an interview at the 10th edition of the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba held in Bulawayo last week, Oxfam Southern Africa Extractives lead for Zimbabwe communications officer Mr Saurai Kambunda said the mining sector brings job creation and infrastructural development in different communities across the country.
“The reason why Oxfam is interested in the mining sector or governance at large is because we see the value that the mining sector can bring to economic development. We see the opportunities it can bring in terms of local content.
There’s an opportunity for job creation, opportunities to grow business at the local level where mining companies are operating. Infrastructural development like schools and clinics. So it’s very important to make sure that the framework around which mining companies operate is a mutually beneficial framework. A mining company can still get profits but the local communities benefit at large from those mining operations. So what is key for Oxfam is community development.”
He said the organistaion was happy that Parliament was open to engaging with citizens and civil society. The Government is expecting to reach US$12 billion in the mining industry by 2023 with gold, platinum group metals, hydrocarbons like oil and gas, coal, gold, lithium, chrome and ferrochrome driving the growth. Mr Kambunda said they work with different local based organisations in a bid to build capacities so that they can effectively engage with communities.
“We work with our local partners such as Transparency International Zimbabwe (TIZ). Zimbabwe Law and Environmental Association (Zela) to build capacities of local-based organisations so that they can effectively engage with critical stakeholders like mining companies, local authorities and traditional leaders in their communities. We do this to create platforms for dialogue so that they are adequately involved in having influence around what is happening in the mining industry and the communities that they work with.”
Chairperson Marange Development Trust Mr Malvern Mudiwa said the Government has shown commitment in mining by granting the Marange community a community claim.
“A positive result that we can see from the Government from their initiative is that we have been given a community claim by the Government. These are the engagements we have been crying for ever since and we are now beginning to see the positives. Yes, there are hiccups here and there but we still have to put effort to involve even other community mines commitment.
“Some schools are being built in the Marange area. I still want to believe that they will do more for the communities.
We are really grateful for what the Government has been doing to support mines,” he said.
