Harnessing Mineral Resources in Gwanda district of Zimbabwe: A Myth or a Reality?
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2011
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The article examines strategies of harnessing mineral resources for community empowerment,
poverty reduction and infrastructure development in mining areas of Zimbabwe. 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. Using a descriptive
survey to collect data, this research article gives a strong proposition on how the Indigenisation and
Economic Empowerment Act can be used as a vehicle of harnessing mineral resources. The article
argues that pro poor mining policies that ensure the harnessing of mineral resources for community
empowerment, poverty reduction and infrastructure development are paramount. The article further
argues that the Indigenous and Economic Empowerment Act needs to be harmonised with other sector
legislation in the country. The article concludes that the development of infrastructure and provision
of public utilities such as electricity, water, establishing micro-credit to small and medium enterprises
and implementing broad-based indigenisation policies are some of the strategies of improving rural
livelihoods. Similarly direct and indirect linkages between the mining sector and 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 article recommends
that the harmonisation of legislation that has an effect on harnessing of mineral resources by local
communities will ensure community empowerment, poverty reduction and infrastructure
development.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Moyo, F. and Mabhena, C., 2014. Harnessing mineral resources in Gwanda District of Zimbabwe: A myth or a reality?. International Letters of Social and Humanistic Sciences, 38, pp.1-21.