By Business Reporter – Wednesday 24th April 2019
HARARE (Mining Index) – THE International Chromium Development Conference scheduled for May 2019 is expected to attract over 200 local and international mining delegates to the resort town of Victoria Falls.
Created in 1984 and headquartered in Paris, France, the International Chromium Development Association (ICDA) is a non-profit association that promotes the value and sustainability of chromium while representing the chromium industry worldwide, through research and developmental projects; communication and forums.
“The conference which is due to be held at the Elephant Hills resort in Victoria Falls town will attract more than 200 international delegates from mining and related sectors,” said Information, Broadcasting and Publicity Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa during a cabinet briefing.
As ICDA celebrates 35 years of existence, there are high expectations for increased chrome output by Zimbabwe, a country that holds 19 percent of global chrome ore reserves, making it the second largest chrome ore reserve in the world after South Africa.
Deliberations will focus on beneficiation, developing stainless steel industry locally, contribution of chromium to the local development and Zimbabwe’s strategy to enhance its visibility as a leading producer on the global market.
A chromium global update will be shared with expert analysis given on how the chromium industry contributes to economic dynamism.
Despite Zimbabwe’s chromium potential, the sector is constrained by a shortage of capital and foreign investments into chromite extraction, denying the country of foreign currency earnings.
With the demand for chrome increasing, Zimbabwe is steadily improving its position in global supply.
Chrome was among top six minerals that contributed the bulk of export earnings in 2018.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando is expected to deliver a keynote address and promote the chrome industry as one of the pillars for Zimbabwe’s robust economic growth and development.
The conference will be attended by experts including government leaders, independent analysts and market representatives from the world chromium industry value chain.
With a membership representing 24 countries across 5 continents, ICDA is the authoritative voice of the industry, dealing with chromium in all its forms.
Representatives from Chamber of Mines, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Ministry of Energy and Power Development, Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development will also join other international speakers. ENDS//
