By Rex Mphisa
INVESTORS must deliver sustainable and mutually beneficial outcomes for both themselves and host communities, Matabeleland South Minister for Provincial Affairs an Devolution Albert Nguluvhe said on Friday.
Nguluvhe also said investors particularly those who use trucks should comply with Zimbabwean laws on permissible tonnages to protect national roads.
Those companies should also help with the maintenance of roads they use in host communities, he said.
“We appreciate the investment being made in our province. At the same time, there must be harmonious coexistence between the investor and the community. Our natural resources must contribute meaningfully towards improving the lives of our people and developing the Province,” said Nguluvhe.
He was chairing a high-level stakeholder engagement meeting at Gwanda Lithium Mine where he was assessing the company’s operations.
He said the company should remain compliant with all relevant legislation and regulatory requirements while strengthening its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes.
He further encouraged improved communication and cooperation between the company, the local Member of Parliament Ompile Marupi, traditional leadership, local authorities and surrounding communities.
The meeting touched on a major issue of the deterioration of roads used by heavy-load trucks transporting lithium ore.
He said road degradation and dust negatively affected surrounding communities, businesses, motorists and other road user and he sought clarification on whether trucks transporting ore were complying with maximum permissible load limits prescribed under relevant legislation.
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development old the meeting that almost 157 kilometres of road infrastructure was affected by high-volume heavy truck movements.
Tests on the roads showed that different sections of the affected road network will require different rehabilitation interventions.
As regards health of communities living close to those roads the Ministry of Health and Child Care is concerned about implications of persistent dust exposure and the impact of deteriorated roads on emergency transportation of patients from the local clinic to the Provincial Hospital.
The Gwanda Lithium said its operations have diversified across lithium, gold and other minerals, with the investments expected to contribute towards economic resilience, employment creation and regional development in line with National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030.
The company said it poured an initial capital investment of approximately US$59 million, with its lithium ore processing operations having a capacity of approximately one million tonnes annually.
It said Its gold operations under Dingold have an investment value of approximately US$115 million.
Some of the challenges faced by the mine include delays in acquisition of export permits, shipment backlogs, complaints by the community about dust emissions, livestock grazing issues, road deterioration.
As part of short-term dust mitigation measures, the company said it regularly sprinkles water and grades the roads frequently.
Gwanda Lithium said it is committed to supporting longer-term road improvements in collaboration with relevant road authorities, including progressively upgrading affected earth roads to gravel and ultimately more durable road surfaces.
On corporate social responsibility Gwanda Lithium mentioned several initiatives, including support to schools, clinics and Government institutions; employment and skills development opportunities for local residents; community water infrastructure while its procurement and outsourcing supported local traders.
The company has also completed three solar-powered boreholes installed in Vela, Mandihongola and Tshongwe villages.
Among those who attended the meeting were Marupi who is also the deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Chief Hwadalala Deputy Director Maxwell Muvondori responsible for Infrastructure Development and Environmental Management, Deputy Director Taona Mudzviti for Business Development; members of the Joint Operations Command (JOC); heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs); local authorities; traditional leadership; and community representatives led by the District Development Coordinator (DDC).