Chitando commissions an air tractor aircraft at Buffalo Range International Airport
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI
– The
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Winston Chitando has commissioned
the Mwenezi Aeromagnetic Survey for Diamonds to ascertain the veracity of the speculated
diamond wealth in Chiredzi and Mwenezi.
– The
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Winston Chitando has commissioned
the Mwenezi Aeromagnetic Survey for Diamonds to ascertain the veracity of the speculated
diamond wealth in Chiredzi and Mwenezi.
The commissioning was done at
Buffalo Range International Airport.
Buffalo Range International Airport.
The search is being done by Aerosurv
in partnership with a South African cmpany, Xcalibur Airborne Geophysics.
in partnership with a South African cmpany, Xcalibur Airborne Geophysics.
The Airborne Mineral Exploration
Project is aimed at unpacking the country’s diamond wealth over a survey
distance of 8 800km.
Project is aimed at unpacking the country’s diamond wealth over a survey
distance of 8 800km.
Aerosurv seeks to further utilise
capacity, expertise and equipment in the Limpopo Mobile Zone (Ngundu) area to
conduct a high resolution, low level airborne survey of the surrounding areas
including River Ranch, Murowa and Mwenezi.
capacity, expertise and equipment in the Limpopo Mobile Zone (Ngundu) area to
conduct a high resolution, low level airborne survey of the surrounding areas
including River Ranch, Murowa and Mwenezi.
The primary focus will be on
conglomerate, alluvial and Kimberlitic diamond deposits.
conglomerate, alluvial and Kimberlitic diamond deposits.
Chitando said his ministry wanted
to grow the size of the national diamond industry from the current $2.8 billion
to a $12 billion industry by year 2030.
to grow the size of the national diamond industry from the current $2.8 billion
to a $12 billion industry by year 2030.
“It’s an important milestone
which government is working towards. The attainment of Vision 2030 will require
the diamond industry to contribute,” said Chitando.
which government is working towards. The attainment of Vision 2030 will require
the diamond industry to contribute,” said Chitando.
He said the diamond industry
produced 2.8 million carats in 2018 against a target of 10 million carats.
produced 2.8 million carats in 2018 against a target of 10 million carats.
“Last year the diamond industry
produced 2.8 million carats of diamond and the whole idea for this is to go to
at least 10 million carats by 2023. The 10 million carats projection is based
on geologically proven sites and on the exploration which is now taking place,
who knows what can happen?” said Chitando.
produced 2.8 million carats of diamond and the whole idea for this is to go to
at least 10 million carats by 2023. The 10 million carats projection is based
on geologically proven sites and on the exploration which is now taking place,
who knows what can happen?” said Chitando.
The Minister of State for
Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira welcomed the prospective investment
opportunity which he said will transform Rutenga and Sango border post.
Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira welcomed the prospective investment
opportunity which he said will transform Rutenga and Sango border post.
“The exploration of diamonds will
bring new diversified activities in Mwenezi and Chiredzi districts resulting in
economic transformation of the Lowveld towards massive rural development. This
will include the development of Rutenga as a dry port and the modernisation of
Sango border post,” said Chadzamira.
bring new diversified activities in Mwenezi and Chiredzi districts resulting in
economic transformation of the Lowveld towards massive rural development. This
will include the development of Rutenga as a dry port and the modernisation of
Sango border post,” said Chadzamira.
