By: Herald online

A delegation from the Pan African Parliament (PAP) arrived yesterday in Zimbabwe ahead of a strategic mining summit currently taking place in Harare, which seeks to strengthen economic cooperation and knowledge sharing among African nations in the mining sector.

The summit’s aim is to enable Zimbabwe to achieve a US$12 billion industry by 2030.

Among the delegates is the PAP Ambassador for Economic Development, Ambassador Bridgette Motsepe, and Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando.

Ambassador Motsepe stated that Africa must build on its shared strengths to unlock sustainable growth through inclusive industrialisation.

“I started in 1986 as the first black producer for underground mining in Africa. Back then, mining was largely artisanal, but we wanted to become more sophisticated in production,” she said.

“Through reforms like the Mining Charter, we ensured that no less than 26 percent of ownership in mining companies is held by historically disadvantaged South Africans. That translated to billions of rand in value for local people.”

The summit is expected to enhance continental partnerships and lay the groundwork for shared prosperity and wealth creation through deeper cooperation in the mining value chain.