THE government has advised suppliers to the mining industry to seize the opportunity presented by the sector's current growth to expand their businesses.
Charles Tawha, the chief director in the Mines and Mining Development ministry, stated during the Mining Industry Suppliers Forum on Wednesday that suppliers must collaborate closely with miners to understand their demands.
He was speaking on behalf of Mines and Mining Development permanent secretary Pfungwa Kunaka.
“It is pleasing to note that the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe and many local mining companies have already embraced local procurement of goods and services where applicable,” he said.
“In that regard, the mining industry suppliers should take advantage of the current growth that is happening in the mining sector and seize the inherent opportunities.
"Suppliers need to work closely with miners to understand their needs and develop solutions that meet those needs and policy pronouncement particularly in value addition and beneficiation."
According to him, the miners ought to be open to collaborating with suppliers in order to test and apply innovative technology.
"Only through working together, suppliers and miners can ensure that the mining industry continues to play a vital role in our economy for many years to come. The mining sector has been on a tremendous upward growth trajectory.
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The sector, according to Tahwa, grew from a US$2,7 billion sector in 2017 to a US$5,4 billion sector in 2022, translating to a 100% growth in export revenue.
Industry and Commence permanent secretary Thomas Wushe said the main requirements for the mining sector include machinery and equipment, transport equipment, wood products, fabricated metal products, among others.
The industry also needs non-metallic minerals (cement, bricks), chemicals and petroleum products, electricity and water, transport and logistics services, construction and civil engineering, finance and business services, catering services.
“It is interesting to note that the first six sectors are all manufacturing-related, while the last few are services. The fundamental question of interest to us, as the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, is: “What is the level of our local industry’s participation in the six sub-sectors that I have noted?”
“I have observed that there are four main categories’ of suppliers in the sector: Locally based foreign provider, foreign importer, local importer, local provider hybrid each of the above has a role but we are keen to tilt towards more local providers wherever possible,’’ he said.
