Zim mineral export earnings edge up in first quarter

Zimbabwe's mining sector recorded a marginal increase in first-quarter export earnings on the back of production improvements in the coal, nickel and gold subsectors. The platinum and chrome subsectors, however, recorded sharp declines owing to high power tariffs, lower prices and high royalty charges. In his latest sectorwide report, Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe (CMZ) CEO Isaac Kwesu says earnings for the first three months of 2015 totalled $452-million, compared with $443-million for the corresponding period last year.