Masvingo aeromagnetic diamond exploration project launched

GOVERNMENT yesterday commissioned the Airborne Mineral Exploration project that is set to unpack diamond resources in Mwenezi and Chiredzi districts.

The two districts in southern Masvingo are believed to have gem-rich kimberlites which Government wants to be exploited in line with the new diamond policy.

Addressing guests during the commissioning of the exploration project at Buffalo Range Airport here, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said the country’s mining industry is poised for a boom with diamonds alone contributing $1 billion per annum to the mining industry by 2023.

“As part of the contribution to the country’s Vision 2030 of creating a middle income economy, the mining industry is destined to increase in size from a mere $2,7 billion industry attained in 2017 to a $12 billion industry by 2023,” he said.

“It is an important milestone, which Government is working on towards the attainment of the Vision 2030 and with that $12 billion industry by end of 2023, diamonds will contribute $1 billion at least.”

Minister Chitando said Government was already implementing the diamond policy which hinges on value addition and beneficiation.

“In terms of the development of the Diamond Industry, last year we produced 2,8 million carats and the whole idea is for this to go up to at least 10 million carats by the year 2023. I said at least (10 million) because that projection is based on geologically proven sites and with the exploration which is now taking place, who knows what can happen,” he said.

“This event is important in the sense that exploration activities of this nature would enable us to improve our diamond production beyond the $10 million carats.”

AeroSurv managing director Mr Nicholas Taruvinga, which partnered Xcalibur Airborne Geophysics of South Africa for the aeromagnetic surveying of gem deposits in Mwenezi and Chiredzi said their companies focused on collecting data from underneath rocks.

“Our companies utilise aircraft and helicopter platforms equipped with the very latest in data acquisition technology AeroSurv Zimbabwe collects, processes and interprets data related to the earth’s surface and the souls and rocks beneath,” said Mr Taruvinga.

Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Ezra Chadzamira said the commissioning of the diamond exploration project was key to the province’s quest to reduce unemployment.

“Under the thrust of devolution, Mining and Minerals Development Sector provides a larger percentage towards the attainment of Masvingo’s Gross Domestic Product. As such, exploration of Diamonds in Mwenezi and Chiredzi Districts gives us scientific grounds to plan for our people, industrialisation, modernisation and development. Masvingo therefore stands ready to beneficiate, value add, market diamonds and related products in manner that seeks to see local communities participating and benefiting,” he said.

Minister Chadzamira said the advent of diamond mining in Mwenezi and Chiredzi will curb illegal border jumping into neighbouring South Africa by unemployed youths. The event was also graced by Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company chair, Engineer Killen Ukama, Excalibur Airborne Geophysics managing director Mr Simon Bosch and Senator Josiah Hungwe, among others