Zimbabwe asbestos mines are facing closure as South Africa, one of the major importers of the products, has reportedly banned the use of asbestos materials, The Sunday Mail reported.
Zimbabwe has been generating 60 million U.S. dollars annually from the sale of asbestos products to the South African market alone and the ban is likely to cause a huge dent on the economy.
The future of about 10,000 asbestos mineworkers and 70,000 people who directly benefit from the sector hangs by a thread, according to the report.
For all along, South Africa has been the major importer of finished asbestos products such as irrigation and water reticulation pipes, brake pads and gaskets, roofing sheets among others.
According to media reports, the latest move by South Africa was in line with an international crusade against the use of asbestos.
Source: Xinhua
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