Diamond, gemstone processing plant set up
THE first ever diamond and gemstone processing plant has been established in the country.
The processing plant is owned by a Zambian indigenous company in Lusaka called Mutinta Jewellery.
The company was expected to manufacture jewellery from diamond, gemstones and various other precious stones.
Government is pleased with the development as this would enhance the exploitation of precious stones in the country.
Ministry of Mines and Mineral Development Permanent Secretary Barnaby Mulenga said the development was encouraging because it promoted value addition.
He said when he toured the processing plant in Roma area in Lusaka yesterday that the country would no longer export huge amount of precious stones in raw form.
Mr Mulenga said Government would support such initiatives because it was in line with it’s policy to promote value addition. "As a ministry we pledge our commitment to support this, as this is in line with Government's policy to promote value addition. This is very good rather than selling precious stones in raw form.
“This gives hope that value addition will be enhanced by producing jewellery.
I will engage the Ministry of Commerce and Industry just to ensure that you penetrate in the region in putting the country on world map," Mr Mulenga said.
Meanwhile Mutinta Jewellery group member Msafari Sinkala said the aim of establishing the processing plant was to make Zambia a market place for diamond, gemstones and other precious stones for jewellery.
He also said the company would empower small scale miners who had diamond and gemstone carats.
And Mr Sinkala said currently the company was offering training to locals on how to operate the machines used to process precious stones and produce jewellery.
Mr Sinkala said the company had engaged experts from China who were transferring skills to Zambians.