Black Rhino Minerals Injects US$10,000 into ACCZ Church Development Projects

By Portia Muzorava

The Apostolic Churches Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) has received a US$10,000 investment from Black Rhino Minerals as part of the mining company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, with the funds set to support church-led development projects across the country.

The contribution was handed over on Sunday by Black Rhino Minerals, which operates 150 hectares as a tributor under the Shurugwi Mining Syndicate, which holds a 465-hectare Special Grant.

As part of their CSR initiatives, both Black Rhino Minerals and the Shurugwi Mining Syndicate have allocated 16 hectares to the ACCZ to support the church’s development programmes.

Black Rhino Minerals is supporting the ACCZ in the mining and sale of chrome from the 16-hectare area, with the proceeds expected to contribute towards sustainable projects by the church.

Speaking during the handover, Black Rhino Minerals Head of Operations Tlou Sebola said the company’s contribution was part of its commitment to giving back to communities and supporting initiatives that create a positive social impact.

The US$10,000 investment will be shared among the ACCZ’s structures in all 10 provinces where the organisation operates, with churches expected to use their allocations to establish projects that can contribute to sustainable development and improve their capacity to serve their communities.

For the ACCZ, the investment provides an opportunity for churches to strengthen their economic sustainability while expanding their contribution to community development.

ACCZ President Dr Archbishop Tobias Zunguzira welcomed the contribution, saying the funding would help churches establish projects that can benefit congregants and communities beyond their spiritual mandate.

“We are grateful to Black Rhino Minerals for this investment. This contribution gives our churches an opportunity to establish sustainable projects that can generate income and strengthen our capacity to serve our communities. We will ensure that the resources are distributed across our 10 provinces and put to meaningful use,” said Archbishop Zunguzira.

Sebola said the company believes that mining operations should also contribute to the development of surrounding communities through meaningful CSR initiatives.

The partnership between Black Rhino Minerals, the Shurugwi Mining Syndicate and the ACCZ comes at a time when faith-based organisations are increasingly playing a role in community development, including supporting livelihoods and creating opportunities for local communities.

The allocation of the 16 hectares gives the ACCZ an opportunity to participate directly in an income-generating mining initiative, with Black Rhino Minerals providing support in the extraction and sale of chrome from the allocated area.

The ACCZ said each of its provincial structures will identify appropriate projects for the US$10,000 investment, with the focus being on initiatives that can deliver sustainable benefits.

The US$10,000 investment, together with the 16-hectare mining allocation, marks a significant partnership between the mining sector and the faith community, with the parties expected to work towards ensuring that the initiative translates into tangible and sustainable development across the country