Killing more than a 1,000, Cyclone Idai also severely damaged Zim diamond mining projects

Cyclone Idai, which hit Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe in March of this year, has also left its mark on Zimbabwe’s diamond mining projects. The cyclone claimed at least 268 lives in Zimbabwe and left a trail of destruction in its wake.

ZCDC chief executive Dr Moris Mpofu told The Sunday Mail Business last week that the company was now "regrouping to recover from the aftermath of Cyclone Idai and put its production back on course."

"Most of the open pits which were being mined in Chiadzwa were flooded during the heavy rains. ZCDC is now in the process of de-watering and re-mapping the pits before mining can commence on affected pits,"" said Dr Mpofu.

"In Chimanimani, ZCDC is in the process of rehabilitating the road network, which was destroyed by Cyclone Idai for the local community, and to regain access into its mining concession. A preliminary assessment indicates that minor damage was caused to the plant in Chimanimani Portal E, while the mining pits require de-watering and re-mapping before mining can commence," he said.

Dr Mpofu said they were hopeful that given the current efforts, mining could commence this week in Chiadzwa and by end of May 2019 in Chimanimani. He explained that the first quarter was not kind to the miner as fuel shortages also added to their woes, in a move that is expected to impact on first quarter output. "Fuel shortages have adversely affected the miner with production at times coming to a standstill owing to fuel unavailability. Notwithstanding these challenges, ZCDC is making frantic efforts to ensure that production against the targeted schedule resumes at the earliest possible time," Dr Mpofu stated.

The tropical cyclone Idai was one of the worst tropical cyclones on record to affect Africa and the Southern Hemisphere. The long-lived storm caused catastrophic damage in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, leaving more than 1,000 people dead and thousands more missing.