Exploration back on the agenda

THE Mines and Mining Development Ministry has insisted on a combined role for the proposed Minerals Marketing and Exploration Corporation following efforts by legislators to separate the entity’s functions. The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy does not want the new entity — which will replace the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe — to cover both marketing and exploration.

The proposed Minerals Marketing and Exploration Corporation is a creature of a Bill.

The present MMCZ is a Government agency responsible for sale of all minerals mined locally except gold and silver, and if the Mines Ministry has its way, exploration will become part of its functions.

The Mines Ministry is understood to be ready to restore the Bill to Parliament’s Order Paper, the stage it was when it was withdrawn last year following public hearings and a non-adverse from the Parliamentary Legal Committee.

Mines Deputy Minister Engineer Fred Moyo said in an interview last week, “There is no final position yet, it is still under discussion. The committee and the ministry are discussing.”

Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy chair Dr Daniel Shumba confirmed discussions were ongoing.

Mines Minister Walter Chidhakwa last year said it was now necessary to broaden the MMCZ’s outlook to encompass exploration.

However, Dr Shumba said while there was commonality in marketing and beneficiation, it was an altogether different affair when it came to exploration.

He said the ministry should find another home for exploration in mining policy.

The mining sector is strategic to Zimbabwe’s economy, generating about 60 percent of annual export earnings and employing thousands of people.

Government has projected the economy to grow by 3,8 percent this year due in part to expected strong performance in mining coupled with a bumper agricultural harvest.