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In a swift cabinet reshuffle, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed Eng Polite Kambamura as the new Minister of Mines and Mining Development, effective immediately, Mining Zimbabwe, can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The appointment, announced by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr M. Rushwaya, on December 8, 2025, elevates Kambamura from his previous role as Deputy Minister of the same portfolio.
This move follows recent reports and a formal press statement confirming the departure of former Minister Winston Chitando.
Eng Polite Kambamura is not a newcomer to the ministry or to politics. His profile indicates a career built on relevant technical and political experience:
Professional Background: He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Zimbabwe (2002) and recently graduated with a Master of Science in Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sustainability with distinction from Bindura University. Before entering politics, he worked as an engineer at mines in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Political Career: Kambamura has been a Member of Parliament for Sanyati Constituency since August 2018 and has served as the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development since September 2018. His tenure as deputy spanned the leadership of two ministers: Winston Chitando and Soda Zhemu.
The appointment signals a significant shift at the helm of one of Zimbabwe’s most critical economic ministries.
Outgoing Minister: Winston Chitando, who served as Minister on two separate occasions (2018–2023 and again from April 2024), was a prominent figure in promoting Zimbabwe’s mining sector globally. Just weeks ago, he was actively marketing the country’s mining potential at international forums.
A Ministry in Focus: The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development oversees a sector that is central to Zimbabwe’s economy. Recent government efforts have focused on banning raw lithium exports to encourage local processing, attracting over $1 billion in related investments, and launching major industrial projects like the Palm River Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone. The ministry also recently gained a second Deputy Minister, Caleb Makwiranzou, tasked with overseeing oil, gas, and strategic minerals.
Kambamura’s immediate promotion from within the ministry suggests a desire for policy continuity. His first-hand experience with ongoing reforms and key projects likely played a role in his selection. The new minister steps in at a time when Zimbabwe is pushing to:
- Increase gold production to a target of 40 tonnes in 2025.
- Advance its platinum and lithium sectors with major new mining and processing facilities.
- Ensure mining activities translate into direct benefits for local communities through regulatory reforms.
The swift nature of this appointment aims to ensure stability and uninterrupted progress in the strategically vital mining sector.
Official Statement Released
The appointment was made official through a press statement dated December 8, 2025, signed by the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr M. Rushwaya, in accordance with the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
