By Josephine Mugiyo, Diplomatic Correspondent
President Emmerson Mnangagwa says Zimbabwe will weather the storm of illegal economic sanctions imposed by the West as the country continues to tap into its vast natural resources.
He was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Dinson Iron and Steel Company plant in Manhize area of Mvuma this Thursday.
The plant is expected to bring in about US$10 billion per year and it will place Zimbabwe among the largest producers of iron and steel on the African continent.
It will not just produce steel and ferrochrome but will ensure the value addition of the minerals.
The ground-breaking ceremony led by President Mnangagwa is a result of the good relations between Zimbabwe and the People’s Republic of China.
“This signature project is a culmination of the Second Republic’s bold decision to harness the mutually beneficial, comprehensive and strategic relations between Zimbabwe and the People’s Republic of China,” said President Mnangagwa.
The Manhize plant is a key project for the country in its quest for an economic turnaround.
“The iron and steel manufacturing plant being established here is a paradigm-shifting milestone in our country’s journey towards the realisation of the $13 billion mining economy and our national Vision 2030. Through this investment our country will now host one of the largest iron and steel manufacturing plants on the continent, it is expected to produce 600 000 tonnes of steel per annum, over and above other related products,” he added.
President Mnangagwa added that Zimbabwe will move from exporting raw minerals to producing and exporting value-added goods.
“It is envisaged to leap get us to emerge as a dynamic Industrial hub, churning out a broad range of value-added made in Zimbabwe iron and steel products for both and international markets.”
The issue of illegal sanctions which are stifling the country’s economic growth is now being discussed at international forums but one thing for certain is that Zimbabwe will not fold its arms and give up.
Said President Mnangagwa, “This iron we knew it was here but today 2022 that’s when we have awoken to use it. This asset we have here will last over 100 years and we will still be mining. Those who imposed sanctions on us are wondering how we are progressing we will continue to take like a lion and the roaring of a lion instils fear in those against us.”
A new smart city will be developed in the Manhize area and President Mnangagwa directed government departments to accelerate the finalisation of the master plan.
Such projects like the one at Manhize and the Sabi Star Lithium Mine project in Buhera will ensure the mining sector is on course to attain its targets.
