BY BUSINESS REPORTER
The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe (CoMZ) was among key institutions that paid tribute to Unki Mines chairman, James Maposa, as condolences poured in following his death last week.
One of the country’s most respected mining industry executives, Maposa was the managing director of SMC Drilling at the time of his death, but was known for his immense contribution to the industry in various roles including in the Anglo American group.
“The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe extends heartfelt condolences to the Maposa family on the death of Mr James Maposa,” the CoMZ said in a statement.
“The late Mr Maposa was an honorary life member and a former president of the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe.
“Mr Maposa was a respected senior emissary of the CoMZ, who dedicated most of his time for a safe, enduring, valued and profitable resources industry for Zimbabwe.
“The mining industry benefited immensely from the late Mr Maposa’s wealth of knowledge and experience.”
Condolences were also received from the Mining Industry Pension Fund, which said the late mining executive left a legacy of excellence in the sector.
South African headquartered financial services group, Nedbank, which has tentacles across Southern Africa also mourned Maposa.
Unki Mines is one of three leading platinum operations exploiting the resources in Zimbabwe, and is a unit of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange listed resources giant Anglo American Platinum.
The mine’s operations are located near Shurugwi town.
Under the leadership of Maposa, mine development was progressing and output has been steadily rising, with several capital development projects earmarked for the operation, which kicked of operations about six year ago.
It was a bad week for Zimbabwe’s corporate world, which is trying to digest passing on Rooneys founder, Pat Rooney, who also died last week.
Rooneys is one of the most popular firms in the country’s events management sector, which is usually present during most big occasions.