Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Thomas Utete Wushe is today (Friday) engaging the leadership of the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) in Bulawayo as part of his familiarisation programme following his appointment to the post in May.
The visit comes at a time when the Government is intensifying efforts to strengthen skills development, value addition and beneficiation within the mining sector, which remains one of Zimbabwe’s key economic pillars.
Established in 1926, the Zimbabwe School of Mines has grown into one of the leading mining training institutions in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), producing highly skilled mining professionals who are sought after across the region and internationally.
The institution plays a strategic role in supporting the growth of Zimbabwe’s mining industry by providing specialised training in mining engineering, geology, metallurgy, mine surveying and gemstone processing.
According to the official programme, Dr Wushe and the ZSM leadership will deliberate on a broad range of issues affecting the institution and the mining sector.
Key agenda items include a strategic overview of the institution and governance issues, academic programmes and their alignment with industry requirements, flagship projects and sectoral contributions, as well as the impact of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) training initiatives.
The discussions will also focus on sponsorship models, outreach programmes, cross-cutting operational challenges and the institution’s long-term financial sustainability.
A roundtable discussion is expected to generate strategic recommendations aimed at enhancing the institution’s contribution to the mining sector and national development.
Dr Wushe will also tour the institution’s key training facilities, including the mining, geology, metallurgy, surveying and lapidary sections, where students receive practical and industry-focused training.
The visit is expected to provide the Permanent Secretary with first-hand appreciation of the institution’s capabilities, challenges and opportunities as Government seeks to accelerate the development of a modern, competitive and value-driven mining sector.
Last year, ZSM commissioned US$1,1 million worth of gemstone cutting and polishing equipment, donated by the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) under its corporate social responsibility programme.
The state-of-the-art equipment, installed at the institution’s Gemstone and Lapidary Workshop, is being used to equip students with advanced gemstone processing skills and support the country’s drive towards value addition and beneficiation.
The investment is widely regarded as a significant step in developing specialised skills required to unlock greater value from Zimbabwe’s vast mineral resources and advance the country’s vision of attaining an upper-middle-income economy.
Mining remains a major contributor to Zimbabwe’s economy, generating the bulk of export earnings and supporting thousands of jobs across the value chain.
The country also boasts a diverse gemstone sector, endowed with a wide range of precious and semi-precious stones whose beneficiation presents significant opportunities for increased revenue generation and industrial growth.-herald
