The ManicaPost
Post Correspondent
ZCDC continues to embark on massive initiatives aimed at improving the living conditions of local communities and empowering them as the mining giant underpins its philosophical undertaking across the Chiadzwa and Chimanimani concessions.
In line with international best practices, corporate social responsibility forms part of the main strategic pillars of the company which programmes ZCDC holds in high regard as it balances between the community, stakeholder and national interests in the execution of its business.
In just under two years of operations ZCDC has implemented the following projects for the benefit of the local communities:
Renovated a science laboratory block and installed state-of-the-art solar system at Gandauta Secondary School and donated 30 computers in line with the Government ‘s thrust of technological capacity building from grass roots levels.
Erected 128 tombstones at Chitangazuva burial site as well as fencing the area to show respect to the community’s traditional and cultural values.
Over 50 percent of ZCDC’s total workforce is drawn from the local community.
Rehabilitating roads as part of its infrastructure development programs to improve accessibility.
Sponsorship programs for local students are being rolled out to assist the underprivileged with school fees and related educational assistance.
Provision of a solar system for the clinic as well as drugs to assist the local community with free healthcare services.
Water Pipeline Greenbelt Irrigation Project: The Company is working on funding horticultural projects along a 20km water pipe line for villagers to do market gardening projects. ZCDC is also providing value chain support by providing a market for agricultural produce produced by the local community.
The Company will also fund and develop Bee Keeping Projects in surrounding communities as such projects are compatible with the region.
Livestock farming projects like cattle ranching, goat and sheep rearing projects as well as poultry will also be funded and supported under the farming projects initiative. The projects will receive full value chain support from production to markets.
Some of the Infrastructure left by former miners has been reclaimed and used for skills development projects. Work is underway to set up a Vocational Training Centre and a Sewing Factory at one of the erected brick and mortar buildings left desolate by former miners.
The sewing project has already kicked off.
A total of 75 women from the neighbouring villages has already undergone training in sewing and will be absorbed into the sewing factory.
ZCDC’s Chief Executive Officer Dr Moris Bekezela Mpofu said, “In line with national expectations, ZCDC has embarked on projects aimed at promoting safety health and environmental consciousness which include tree nursery projects, environmental clean-up campaigns (Hotsprings, Tenda Shopping Centre, Sakubva Bus Terminus, Chimanimani Town, Malaria campaigns and prevention programmes with local environmental health technicians, donations of waste disposal bins to surrounding shopping centres.”
He added, “ZCDC is conducting Post Environmental Rehabilitation Agriculture projects (PERA) in which the company will sponsor agricultural projects on rehabilitated land in keeping with its environmentally friendly mining model.”
The company, which operates in compliance with the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme, is undertaking progressive rehabilitation in mined out areas and the following activities are currently being implemented:
Tree plantation projects have already began spearheaded by ZCDC’s plant a tree campaign under its Safety Health and Environment policy
Borehole drilling and rehabilitation programs to support local agriculture and provide clean water supply to the local community.
Backfilling mined out pits and gullies left open by previous miners
Spreading of waste stockpiles left behind by previous operators
Soil profiling using waste rock, tailings and stockpiled topsoil.
Creating partnerships with locals on nursery projects for use during the re-vegetation of the mined out areas.
Working with the Environmental Management Agency on the progressive land rehabilitation project
Mined out pits will be converted into fisheries and other aqua culture projects which will support the local community and create economic activity that will be sustained long after mining activities.
Reclaimed mined out areas will also be reserved for wildlife facilities such as game parks.
In other countries the land surrounding the diamond mines is used for wildlife recreational facilities.
ZCDC intends to explore alternative recreational land use in keeping with its sustainable mining model.
Recreational facilities will bring income and economic activity to the local community from tourism and other sectors.
The Fruit Trees which ZCDC is currently planting (above 2000 trees planted to date) are expected to create a local economy around indigenous fruits such as the one in Chipinge for Macadamia Nuts.
Since its establishment in 2016, ZCDC has resourced itself with the best skills in diamond mining operations from prospecting, exploration, mining, processing and diamond value management.
ZCDC also engaged a reputable human resources consultant to conduct a job evaluation and skills audit to ensure that the company has the right expertise and is geared for the growth trajectory that it envisions.
The executive management has a combined experience covering the whole diamond mining value chain of over 200 years.
Any question raised on the expertise of ZCDC’s staff from top management to lower levels can still be answered by an independent skills audit.
