Mr Mabhudhu ready to contribute towards US$12 billion mining vision

THE newly appointed Zimbabwe Consolidate Diamond Company (ZCDC) chief executive officer (CEO) Mr. Mark Mabhudhu says he is prepared to contribute towards Zimbabwe’s mining sector growth, which feeds into President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s broader vision of transforming the country into an upper middle income economy by 2030.

Zimbabwe’s diamond sector alone, is projected to contribute US$1 billion.

Mr. Mabhudhu took over the reins of power for the state-owned diamond entity on 21 September this year following his exit from Vast Resources Enterprises (VRE) as Executive Director.

In his appreciation note to all employees, Mr. Mabhudhu assured all ZCDC stakeholders that himself, and the entire ZCDC team are geared to ensure that his organisations vision is driven in line with the expectations of the stakeholder.

“Meanwhile, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage everyone within the ZCDC family to help me and the management team to deliver our mandate,”

“This is not only critical to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development’s Big Hairy Audacious Goal of a US$12 billion industry by 2023 (to which the diamond industry should contribute US$1 billion), but also ensuring that His Excellency President E.D Mnangagwa’s vision for Zimbabwe of becoming an upper middle income economy by 2030 is fully realised,” said Mr. Mabhudhu.

While attainment of the US$12 billion mining industry by 2023 is not an event but a process, government put in place concrete start-ups and expansion of projects in a number of key minerals, diamonds included.

Mr. Mabhudhu however acknowledged the difficult circumstances ZCDC is operating, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has grossly affected the diamond industry worldwide.

To cushion the effects of Covid-19, government allocated ZW$1 billion towards the mining sector.

“Above all, I am fully aware of the welfare issues being faced by our employees. That is receiving my fullest attention. The challenges in our hands should not deter us. Let us focus on what will keep our company going, developing communities in which we operate and contribute towards national development,” said Mr. Mabhudhu.

“At all times, we will be guided by our visionary aspirations, the purpose for which we exist will always inspire us, while always acting in line with our organisational values. We will always undertake to ensure that we do our work within the ambit of our business principles.

“The challenges we will face and the difficulties we will encounter along this journey will put our resolve to the test. We will not relent,” said Mr. Mabhudhu. – miningindex.co.zw