The Sunday News
THE Government has shortlisted four international chrome buyers who would buy chrome from small-scale miners under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created to market the mineral after the lifting of the ban on its exports.
Minerals Marketing of Zimbabwe deputy general manager who is also the chairman of the SPV Mr Masimba Chandavengerwa told chrome miners last week that the international buyers were from Europe, Mauritius and two from neighbouring South Africa.
“The SPV has shortlisted four companies to buy chrome ore. They have been considered after they demonstrated their capacity to buy the commodity and these are also international dealers of ferro-alloys. They will buy from north, middle and south dykes,” said Mr Chandavengerwa although he did not reveal their names.
He also announced the new name of the SPV Company formed by Government to assist in the marketing chrome.
“The name of the SPV Company will be called Apple Bridge Investments and the SPV was formed to give a special attention to chrome. The Statutory Instruments (SI) for the mineral is expected soon to give guide in the chrome mining and trading. The SI seeks to empower miners in the mining operations,” he explained.
He said identification of hubs was already in the underway along the Great Dyke where chrome ore mining activities are taking place.
“The SPV will create hubs along the Great Dyke for verification of grades and qualities. Areas shortlisted are Lalapanzi, Zvishavane, Darwendale and Zim-Alloys facilities in the North Dyke.”
“We are still working on logistics of tonnage with the National Railways of Zimbabwe to see their preparedness and capacity. I am glad to say NRZ has asked for three weeks to come up with solutions and they have planned to hire wagons from South Africa which are specifically for chrome ore,” he said.
Chrome exports were banned in April 2011 but the Government three months ago lifted the ban resulting in many small-scale chrome miners resuming operations.
Meanwhile, small-scale miners in the gold sector have welcomed the two percent reduction on gold royalty by Government announced in the Finance Bill of 2015 saying the move would go a long way in helping in the formalisation of their operations.
According to Clause 18 of the Bill, the rate of royalty on gold was reduced from three percent to one percent, a move that favours the miners.
In an interview, Gold Miners Association of Zimbabwe (GMAZ) president Mr Morgan Mugawu said the association had been lobbying for the reduction of the rate on royalties for a long time and added that this showed that artisanal and small-scale miners were being given due recognition.
“Government has further shown its commitment towards working with and improving the livelihoods of artisanal and small scale miners. The reduction of the rate of royalties on gold will definitely spur the miners to formalise their operations,” said Mr Mugawu.
