Published by the government of Zimbabwe
Takunda Maodza
11 November 2009
Harare — TWO companies have joined the Zimbabwe Mining Development Company in extracting diamonds at Chiadzwa as full exploitation of the precious gem begins.
Locally-owned Mbada Mining and Canadile Miners Private Limited -- believed to be a partnership between locals and South Africans -- are already working at Chiadzwa diamonds fields.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu confirmed the development in an interview yesterday.
Asked to confirm that Government had granted the two companies mining rights, Minister Mpofu said: "It has been done. We travelled with one of the companies to Namibia recently and they presented a good report."
Canadile Miners Pvt Ltd accompanied a Government delegation led by Minister Mpofu to Namibia last week.
Pressed for further details, Minister Mpofu said it would be prudent for Herald Business to visit Chiadzwa and see developments on the ground.
"The best thing is for you to go there," he said.
Impeccable sources say there is a lot of activities at the diamond fields with the two companies bringing specialised machinery to tap the precious mineral.
"The companies have been at Chiadzwa for more than a month now. They have brought specialised machinery on site. They are partnering the ZMDC," a source said.
"We began work over a month ago," said Canadile Miners Pvt Ltd employee.
The ZMDC could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Last week the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme meeting in Namibia gave Zimbabwe the greenlight to continue mining diamonds.
This was after the 70-member international diamond trade body accepted that the country was reforming its mining practices.
The KP accepted Zimbabwe's presentations on efforts being made to comply with its recommendations.
It also agreed to give the country time to reform its mining practices while adopting a working plan proposed by Government that included calls for an independent inspector to monitor diamonds.
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