Owen Ncube, Zimbabwean minister of state for provincial affairs and devolution for Midlands, addresses during a ceremony in Shurugwi, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe, July 13, 2026. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)
HARARE, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Owen Ncube, Zimbabwean minister of state for provincial affairs and devolution for Midlands, on Monday commended Chinese gold mining firm Chenxi Investments for its contributions to the country's economic growth and community development.
Speaking at a ceremony in Shurugwi, Midlands Province, Ncube praised the company's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, noting that they align with Zimbabwe's goal of achieving an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
During the event, Ncube handed over 25 solar streetlights to the Shurugwi Town Council and a mini-bus to the Shurugwi Football Club, both donated by the firm.
The donations are part of Chenxi's 2-million-U.S.-dollar comprehensive CSR program for 2026, which also earmarks funds for a community dam, a market center, village business units, and the expansion of Shurugwi District Hospital, including staff accommodation.
"Today's event demonstrates Chenxi's robust, people-centric empowerment initiatives in Shurugwi and the broader Midlands Province, spanning health, education, agriculture, SMEs, and mining," Ncube said.
Beyond infrastructure, the company has supported local empowerment by providing mining claims and equipment to artisanal miners and establishing a community milling plant.
Simon Karimanzira, director of Chenxi Investments, expressed full support for the government's mineral value-addition strategy to maximize mining revenues, adding that Zimbabwe's favorable investment climate has driven an influx of Chinese investors.
The medium-sized company, which began open-cast gold mining in 2022, unveiled plans to set up the Midlands Province's largest carbon-in-pulp processing plant, with a daily capacity of 3,000 to 4,000 tonnes of ore. This facility will significantly enhance processing capacity and gold recovery.
Additionally, Karimanzira said the company has developed an 11-megawatt solar-energy facility, which is scheduled for commissioning soon, to counter climate change-induced power shortages. ■
Shurugwi Football Club players get out of a mini-bus donated to them by Chinese gold mining firm Chenxi Investments in Shurugwi, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe, July 13, 2026. (Photo by Shaun Jusa/Xinhua)
