Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe Chief Executive Officer, Mr Isaac Kwesu, will outline investment opportunities emerging from the country’s mining sector reforms at the African Mining Week (AMW) 2026, scheduled for Cape Town in October.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
As African countries advance reforms to unlock new mineral discoveries and strengthen mining investment, chambers of mines are playing an increasingly important role in connecting governments, investors, and industry. Through policy advocacy, regulatory engagement, and investment promotion, these organisations are helping shape the continent’s next phase of mining development.
Zimbabwe offers a prime example of this expanding role. The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe has become an increasingly influential voice in addressing production constraints, including power shortages and foreign exchange challenges. Its recommendations align with recent government initiatives to expand coal-fired power generation, increase coal production, and achieve 10% mining sector growth in 2026.
AMW 2026 will feature a dedicated Zimbabwe Country Spotlight, showcasing lucrative opportunities across the country’s mining value chain. The spotlight will bring together investors, service providers, and senior decision-makers from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, and leading mining companies.
Kwesu will join senior policymakers — including Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Deputy Governor Dr Innocent Matshe — to discuss investment opportunities and the policy reforms needed to unlock Zimbabwe’s next phase of mining growth.
The engagement comes as Zimbabwe seeks fresh capital to unlock value from more than 60 known mineral occurrences spanning gold, lithium, platinum group metals, chrome, coal, and rare earths.
In a major move to improve investment competitiveness, Zimbabwe reduced mining-related licence and permit fees in May 2026, lowering operational costs for investors while streamlining market participation. Registration fees for dealing in precious stones have been reduced from US$15,000 to US$10,000, while export permit fees have been cut from US$1,875 to US$500. New licensing categories — including permits for gold jewellery manufacturing and lithium processing plants — have also been introduced.
The reduction in fees for beneficiation projects follows the April 2026 introduction of export quotas for lithium concentrates ahead of a planned 2027 ban on concentrate exports. The shift is already reshaping the country’s lithium industry, with Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt achieving Zimbabwe’s first export shipment of lithium sulphate in April 2026.
Zimbabwe’s gold sector is also positioned for renewed growth amid sustained high global gold prices averaging US$5,000 per ounce. The country’s sovereign wealth fund, Mutapa Investment Fund, is seeking US$250 million to expand gold mining operations.
Artisanal Mining Formalisation
AMW 2026’s emphasis on artisanal and small-scale mining formalisation aligns closely with Zimbabwe’s national mining development strategy. In May 2026, Zimbabwe certified 300 small-scale miners following the completion of training programmes on safety, compliance, and productivity. Supported by funding from Mutapa Gold Resources — a subsidiary of Mutapa Investment Fund — the initiative aims to train and formalise 1,500 ASM players.
“AMW 2026 offers a timely platform for investors to engage with one of Africa’s most prospective brownfield gold markets and explore opportunities across exploration, mine expansion, and processing infrastructure,” Energy Capital & Power said in a statement.
As the official platform where Africa’s mining opportunities are discussed and maximised, AMW 2026 will provide stakeholders with market intelligence on Zimbabwe’s evolving mining landscape and investment outlook.
