The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) is deploying a sophisticated array of technological measures to combat mineral leakages, including drone surveillance systems, mobile laboratories, and an integrated digital platform that will allow miners to conduct business from their homes, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Presenting at the Miners for Economic Development strategic planning workshop in Gweru, MMCZ Sales Executive Memory Phiri outlined the Corporation’s comprehensive strategy to tighten oversight across Zimbabwe’s mineral value chain.
Phiri announced that MMCZ is finalising an integrated enterprise system that will transform how miners interact with regulatory authorities.
“We want to come up with a system where you can just do business from your home, and you can communicate with us,” Phiri told the gathering.
“We are going to integrate with ZIMRA. We are going to integrate with MMCZ. We are also going to integrate with other companies in terms of raising our CD1 and everything. So the system will accommodate those. So you will have a much lower cost.”
This digital integration promises to reduce transaction costs for miners while creating an auditable trail that makes evasion more difficult.
Beyond digital systems, MMCZ is taking to the air to monitor mining activities and export routes.
“In terms of curbing mineral leakages, we have also adopted technologies. Rather than just waiting for inspectors to come in to do the LFO, we have also adopted a drone system. We have also expanded our span of surveillance,” Phiri said.
The drone programme represents a significant upgrade from traditional inspection methods, allowing continuous monitoring of mining areas and transport routes without the delays and limitations of ground-based patrols.
“We used to have problems where MMCZ was not represented at the borders. And we would have, yes, other security agents, ZIMRA and others, but they don’t understand the technical aspect of it all,” Phiri acknowledged.
“But now MMCZ is at the borders with the equipment they use to check whatever the product is. So in terms of leakages, that’s one aspect that we have also tightened.”
With MMCZ geologists and technical staff now stationed at key exit points, shipments can be verified against their declared composition before leaving the country, closing the misdeclaration loophole that smugglers have long exploited.
Phiri revealed that MMCZ plans to deploy mobile laboratories during the period 2026–2033, bringing testing capability directly to mining areas and transport routes.
“Then, during the period of 2026–2033, we intend to have mobile laboratories,” she said.
These mobile units will complement the Corporation’s longer-term plan for a permanent facility.
“Then, as an institution, together with our parent ministry, it is also one of our plans to come up with a state-of-the-art multi-laboratory for the verification of assets. That is all very important.”
The combination of mobile and fixed laboratory capacity will ensure that mineral verification can happen at any point in the value chain, from the mine gate to the border post.
Phiri emphasised that MMCZ is not working in isolation but in continuous collaboration with other state agencies.
“We hold meetings with all state security agents. We are working with them, the ZIMRAs, just to give oversight on the export movement of material. Then we also have a multi-agent approach.”
This coordinated approach ensures that multiple layers of oversight apply to every shipment, reducing the risk that any single point of failure can be exploited.
Beyond enforcement, Phiri noted that MMCZ continues to engage with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development on legislative reforms that advance beneficiation.
“In terms of the promotion of value addition and beneficiation, we continue to engage with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development in advocating for legislative amendments that advance beneficiation and value addition. These efforts will be guided by state developments, benchmarking, and developing food trade with global trade,” she said.
