Government said it is putting in place measures to ensure the diamond industry increases output starting this year as it moves towards achievement of the US$1 billion mark by 2023.
Updating parliament on Wednesday about mining progress, Minister of Mines and Mining Development Winston Chitando said US$165 million was realised from the diamond sector in 2019 compared to US$98 million in 2018.
He added that government is working on improvements to the diamond  marketing framework.
“Diamonds are expected to contribute US$1 billion towards the US$12 billion target for the mining industry by 2023.
“In line with diamond policy, Anjin Investments has started production and Alrosa Diamonds, which is the largest producer of diamonds in the world and is already on the ground evaluating several sites to commence production. Government is working on improvements of the marketing framework,” he said.
On the platinum industry, Minister Chitando said the sector was expected to contribute US$3 billion towards the US$12 billion target by 2023 centred on the expansion and production of projects undertaken by Unki, Zimplats Holdings Limited (Zimplats) and Mimosa Platinum mines.
“Great Dyke investments have started opening a mining area and it is scheduled to produce its first concentrate in 2021. Karo Resources are ready to commence project work on the 1st portal having undertaken extensive evaluation work.
“Bravura is on the ground undertaking evaluation work. Discussions with Todal Mining Ltd are advanced for them to get into the project phase; actually, they had a board meeting sometime this week,”he said.
