Mining and Development in Southern Zimbabwe: Myth or Reality in Gwanda District?
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Date
2024
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Abstract
The book chapter explores mineral resource development strategies for community empowerment, poverty reduction and infrastructure development in
Zimbabwe's mining areas. Using descriptive survey data, the authors present a proposal on how the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act can be used
as a vehicle for mineral resource development. Despite abundant mineral resources, the majority of Zimbabwean indigenous communities living close to the
mines have limited access to directly or indirectly benefit from the mineral resources. The chapter argues that pro-poor mining policies that ensure the
harnessing of mineral resources for community empowerment, poverty reduction and infrastructure development are paramount. The chapter further argues that the
Indigenous and Economic Empowerment Act needs to be harmonised with other sector legislation in the country. The book chapter concludes that the development
of infrastructure and provision of public utilities such as electricity, and water, establishing micro-credit to small and medium enterprises and implementing
broad-based indigenisation policies are some of the strategies for improving rural livelihoods. Similarly, direct and indirect linkages between the mining sector and
the local economy could be enhanced through the provision of food supply to the mine, manufacture of mining inputs, provision of security services and supply of
labour by the local community. The harnessing of mineral resources in any country has been a contested terrain. Of late in Zimbabwe, the government has embarked
on a massive indigenisation drive that has seen large-scale mines compelled by law to seed at least 10% of their mineral revenue to CSOTS. The authors
recommend the harmonisation of legislation that affects harnessing of mineral resources by local communities will ensure community empowerment, poverty
reduction and infrastructure development in mining districts in southern Zimbabwe.
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Moyo, F. et al. (2024) Mining and Development in Southern Zimbabwe: Myth or Reality in Gwanda District?. In: Current progress in Arts and Social Studies Research Vol. 3. B.P. International. p. 42-66