The proposed ban on the use of asbestos by South Africa may have far-reaching negative effects on Zimbabwe's asbestos industry and economy, local media reported Friday.

Turnall Holdings managing director John Jere told the parliamentary portfolio Committee on Mines, Environment and Tourism that the proposed ban would see Zimbabwe losing billions of Zimbabwean dollars.

Jere said South Africa imported about 87 percent of the raw asbestos fiber from Turnall Holdings. The company also exported its products to Brazil, India and Botswana.

The asbestos is used in the production of fiber sheets, irrigation and water reticulation, brake pads and gaskets. Some of its category is regarded as hazardous under the UN's Rotterdam Convention on hazardous chemicals and pesticides, which came into force earlier 2004.

Source: Xinhua