by Shongedzai Mugwagwa

Russia-Zimbabwe joint venture, Great Dyke Investments (GDI) has hit the ground running with the excavation and construction of a box cut (Mwendamberi portal) at the mine situated in Darwendale commissioned today, the Harare Post can report.

A box cut (box pit) is a small open cut built to supply a secure and safe entrance as access to a slope to an underground mine and generally, the box cut is sunk until sufficiently unweathered rock is found to permit the development of the decline.

Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Winston Chitando accompanied by Minister of State for Mashonaland West Province, Mary Mliswa and Russian Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Nikolai Krasilnikov, graced the milestone event which marks the official beginning of mining operations at the platinum mine.

Minister Chitando who officially commissioned the excavation as the Guest of honour christened the first boxcut "Mwendamberi Portal" as he assured that the platinum mine will add more billions to the country’s targeted $12 billion revenue from mining.

“In mining when you have a function where you are officiating over boxing, that signifies birth of a mine. Any big mine in the world started with a box cut like we are witnessing right now. So this indeed is a very big occasion,” said Minister Chitando.

The mine, which is expected to directly employ over 5000 people from Mashonaland West province and other  provinces, will produce 180 000 tonnes of platinum ore monthly with an expected lifespan of not less than 15 years.