THE Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) has begun moves to operationalise its exploration arm, the Mining Promotions Corporation (MPC), by embarking on a massive recruitment exercise.
Report by Tarisai Mandizha
The MPC is expected to spearhead exploration of minerals throughout the country. Its role would be to quantify the amount of gold, diamonds, platinum, graphite and iron ore resource the country has.
ZMDC recently invited applications from suitable qualified professionals to fill vacancies of chief geologist, senior exploration geologist, geophysicists, geochemists, surveyors, accountant and administrator to take up positions in MPC. ZMDC chairperson Godwills Masimirembwa yesterday said the move to fill the vacancies would result in the full operation of MPC.
“MPC will be fully operational as soon as these job vacancies are filled,” he said.
He said through MPC the corporation would be able to determine the geological resource available in the country.
“It also means when we negotiate with partners for joint venture mining activities we will be fully aware of the amount of minerals we hold as we will be equipped with the correct data,” Masimirembwa said.
He added that currently ZMDC was not able to quantify the amount of minerals the firm holds due to a number of reasons.
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“At the moment we are just shooting in the dark, but now with MPC we will have full geological information,” he said.
According to the Chamber of Mines, Zimbabwe’s minerals sector is vastly under-explored and the country lacks the modern technology needed to explore and create a database of its resources.
The country is estimated to have deposits of about 40 different minerals.
ZMDC, the government’s mining arm, has grown over the years with 16 mines currently under its stable from six at inception 31 years ago. Of the mines, four are wholly-owned by ZMDC while the remainder are joint ventures with other companies.
The corporation has also signed six agreements in gold and diamonds exploration and development.
ZMDC is pursuing a number of mining ventures and also plans to revive Shabanie Mashava Mines.
The commencement of operations of the MPC is expected to complement mining explorations that are being undertaken by the private sector, albeit to a very minimal extent.
