The Zimbabwean government’s decision to lift the ban on chrome ore exports – imposed in 2011 to promote the value-addition and beneficiation of the mineral – has been welcomed by the industry as a major potential boost to the economy.
Zimbabwean newspapers quoted a new report by National Confederation of Chrome Miners Association (NCCMA) as saying that the ban particularly affected small-scale miners who were left vulnerable as a number of smelters shut down, resulting in the loss of at least 2 000 jobs.
The Zimbabwe Independent newspaper reported that since the ban, there had been a number of challenges to the smelting of chrome owing to high electricity tariffs, falling of international ferrochrome prices and obsolete equipment.
The NCCMA report pointed out that with the ban having been lifted, the sector had the potential to produce an average of 447 500 tonnes of chrome ore per month, creating over 35 000 jobs.
State-owned newspaper, The Herald, cited the Zimbabwe’s deputy minister of mines, Fred Moyo, as saying: “What is important is for government to have lucrative markets of chrome. We hope to see improved business in the chrome mining sector.”
Moyo reportedly added that the government had started acquiring weigh bridges and laboratory equipment to assist the small-scale miners. "We are going to beef up technical expertise in engineering so that miners meet targets in time."
Zim hopes to boost chrome ore production with lifting of ban
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