Magaya’s 28 mines and exports vision
Well known for his antics in performing miracles through his clergyman works and recently football, Prophetic Healing and Deliverance founder Walter Magaya has other areas where he is fast proving to be a force to reckon with.
Magaya is targeting to become one of the biggest exporters in the country driven by the recent commissioning of a marble manufacturing plant in the capital. He also claims that he has the capacity to change the country’s economic landscape in the next five years.
Magaya has managed to acquire 28 mines which hold various minerals to provide raw materials for his new manufacturing venture and is also active in agriculture.
The mines, which are spread across three provinces; Mashonaland West, Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East in areas such as Chinhoyi, Mhangura and Kwekwe.
Magaya said the mines were well explored holding with proven resources in minerals such as dolomite, marble and granite. He has also secured a mining licence to explore for lithium in Nyanga. But overall and specifically for the newly commissioned marble factory, a total several stone types, not just marble, can be value added.
“I have a vision and mark my words if all goes well, in the next five years I have the capacity to change the economic fortunes of this country.
“I never took a loan from the bank to start this factory.
“I am active in almost every sector of the economy and as far as the marble factory is concerned, the raw material is in abundance as it is supplied by the mines under our portfolio,” said Magaya.
Magaya recently commissioned a $17 million marble factory which will holds capacity to produce 1 000tonnes per week. The marble factory, according to reports will create 3 000 jobs.
The business will export 90 percent of its products while 10 percent will be sold to the local market.
The factory according to Magaya will produce 144 tonnes of marble per day, 1000 tonnes per week, 4000 tonnes per month, and 48 000 tonnes per year is a milestone achievement.
According to global research, the global marble market is expected to grow 20-45 percent per year. Some of the major companies in the world supplying tiles are GANI , Levantina and Polycor .
“We already have orders from countries like Italy, Greece, China, Dubai, Turkey and South Africa and we want to satisfy those markets. Some South African companies have asked us to polish stones for them in our factory,” said Magaya.
Magaya said he has employed nine Chinese nationals who are transferring knowledge to 180 locals on how to operate machines at the factory and has given them a month to deliver.–businessweekly
