Revolutionizing the Mining and Agriculture Sectors: Nduna -Newsday Zimbabwe

Nduna told NewsDay Weekender that he is working with existing mining companies while also taking over ailing mining companies to revive the industry.

ZANU PF Resource Mobilisation and Revenue Generation Committee chairman Dexter Nduna has said his committee has launched a drive to revolutionise Zimbabwe’s mining and agriculture sectors to add value to the country’s mineral resources while boosting agricultural productivity.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently appointed Nduna to the commission, with the former Chegutu West member of parliament saying he would work to maximise the country’s natural resources to boost economic growth.

Nduna told NewsDay Weekender that he is working with existing mining companies while also taking over ailing mining companies to revive the industry.

“We are starting to mine like never before. We have purchased exploration licenses and will be looking forward to mining in virgin areas where no mining has been done before,” he said.

“We will seek to establish cooperation with those who are already operating in the mining industry, and we will also buy out those whose mining companies are in a difficult situation.

“Most importantly, we want to capitalize on and increase the value of our resources. When we mine chromium, we’re not going to export it in a raw format. We’re going to grow it and make ferrochrome out of it.”

Nduna added that Zanu PF also plans to build refineries at an estimated cost of $5.2 billion.

“The current state of affairs is not conducive to the country where (some companies) and everyone else is exporting to Anglo American Platinum Limited (Amplats) for refining,” he said.

“The platinum group of metals contains so many minerals, but what we see as remittances back home is just platinum and a few metals. So if we add up the value of our platinum, we get more.

“So the Party is beginning the process of establishing refineries, so once we do that, there will not be a single aorta, not a single ounce of platinum that will leave this country in a raw state.”

Nduna said the party hopes to set up factories to produce platinum catalysts, allowing the country to make better use of its minerals.

He added that his committee plans to transform the agricultural sector by asking equipment suppliers to provide necessary tools and machinery without relying on bank loans or outside capital.

“We are going to explore all the open spaces and go to those farms that are having difficulty producing anything so that we can either use them or install irrigation equipment in them,” the former legislator said.

“We will draw water from unimaginable places where drawing water seems impossible, for example from Tugwi-Mukosi, which is 97 percent full.

“Therefore, we see no reason why we cannot get water from Masvingo to Chegutu. It is possible. That is why we intend to put water in every space.”

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