CommuTalk Reporter
SGURUGWI: A joint portfolio committee on Mines, Mining Development and Thematic Committee on Gender and Development yesterday gave thumbs up to Tebekwe Mining in Shurugwi noting how the mine has thrived to build not only infrastructure but community growth while under leadership of a woman.
Speaking after the mine tour, Senator Anna Shiri who chaired the committee said through their travel, Tebekwe was the first mine that had shown great interest not only in profit but other activities that benefit the community as helping in the fight against drug and substance abuse.
“What we have seen here is unique. Of the many visits we have made we have not seen aspects as those that weave into national agendas like helping in fights against poverty and above all a fight against drug and substance abuse.
“We have heard issues here that we will take back to parliament which I cannot jump into as it is not my duty to comment on such but to simply deliver to parliament but about today’s visit, we have also learnt that women have great potential if they are given a chance in male dominated fields,” Sen Shiri said.
Narrating how they plan to improve infrastructure to further local beneficiation, mine CEO Dr Smell Dube however lamented power outages that affect production as well as posing safety dangers.
“Safety is key in mining but with continued power outages, we are exposed to safety dangers and we plead with ZETDC to assist us. We have tried to seek a dedicated line but we still face power cuts.
“Power cuts also affect our production and hinder may other programs we want to implement. This includes slowing down plant upgrade so that we are able to maximise local beneficiation,” Dr Dube told Parliament.
Meanwhile, Tebekwe has also awarded mining claims to local youths as a form of empowerment and fighting drug and substance abuse.
