FS Mining’s US$2m road rehabilitation excites govt, community

STAFF WRITER
INSIZA – Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, says investors in communities must stop the behavior of leaving a trail of ruin in areas they are operating from particularly in the mining sector.
He was speaking while hailing FS Mining for working with communities to deal with critical infrastructure development that includes the US$2m 22 kilometre road rehabilitation project that has excited the community.

Officially commissioning the rehabilitated road in Insiza District, Nguluvhe said FS Mining has shown the way and other mining companies must take a leaf from their deeds in the community.

The road stretches from Silalatshani-Sanali-Malole (11km) and Malole-Dickson another 11 kilometres.

“If you follow the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa)’s mantra that no place should be left behind, road infrastructure is one of the key elements in terms of development,” he said.

“What was worrying is some of the investors particularly in mining just come, invest and take whatever mineral they are taking but they don’t consider the state of the roads. When the mineral is finished they leave just like that. They leave holes only, environmental degradation and sadness. What legacy should you leave in an area if you are an investor? These ones (FS Mining) will leave a legacy and this road is that legacy,” he said.

“I am very happy and impressed that at least this road will assist the businesses here, the communities here. There now is free movement and faster transportation. This is a good example and legacy.”

FS Mining CEO Precious Mabuza says the company is happy working with communities in the area and also urged other investors to ensure they develop where they are operating from.

“There are things we have been doing for this community and the biggest one being the road that we have built which is a 22 kilometre stretch,” she said.

“Several times we were driving along this road we would find people and cars stuck so we thought regardless of the business itself needing the road, the community itself is in greater need,” she added.

“We have also built a road that goes towards the clinic which serves the community and we have so far done 10 kilometres and we are yet to do more. We have donated to the schools and paying fees for some children there.”

The company has also tried to adress the water crisis by borehole drilling.

“We have done all this even before we have started operations as FS Mining. We started commissioning the road before even we commissioned our Wash Plant. For us as long as we know the community is happy, we are also happy.”

“We just wish that each and every business, every investors coming into Zimbabwe they can learn from us, we are not saying what we have done is the best but the little that we can do it really goes a long way to the community,” she said.

Community leaders also expressed joy over the move saying this will go a long way in addressing prolonged transport challenges that were affecting communities.

They say they were in some cases paying over US$15 for a journey that costs less than that US$5 to transport goods and would take them over an hour where 15 minutes is sufficient and now a reality.

“We are happy with the mine that is assisting us here, FS Mining that says what we are getting here we will work to assist the community, a community leader representing local Chief Maduna told the gathering.

“This road was not like this. It was difficult to go to the main road. Less than 15 kilometres people would pay over US$5 because transporters complained on the state of the road. No transporter wanted to use this road but thanks to FS Mining, this issue has been addressed and we are happy.”

Other traditional leaders from nearby Mberengwa also graced the event.