The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is owed approximately US$31 million in outstanding mining title fees, Permanent Secretary Dr Thomas Utete Wushe has said, urging title holders to settle their arrears or engage the ministry on payment arrangements, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Dr Wushe made the remarks on 20 August 2026 during a visit to the ministry’s Provincial Mining Office in Mashonaland Central, where he called on officials to intensify engagement with mining title holders over outstanding payments.
“We are giving miners up to 31 August 2026 to pay their outstanding fees,” Dr Wushe said.
The outstanding amount relates to fees payable by holders of mining titles, with the arrears having accumulated to approximately US$31 million.
Dr Wushe said title holders facing genuine difficulties in settling their obligations should approach the ministry and formally outline how they intend to clear their arrears.
“Those who cannot meet the deadline should write to the Ministry outlining how they intend to settle their arrears,” he said.
“We are reasonable. We will engage with those who come forward with clear payment plans.”
Ministry Links Revenue to Service Delivery
Dr Wushe said payment of title fees was important to the ministry’s ability to deliver services to the mining sector.
“For service delivery to be smooth and great, miners must pay. We cannot continue to provide services when revenues are not coming in,” he said.
The remarks come as the ministry seeks to improve compliance among mining title holders and strengthen revenue collection across the sector.
Provincial Mining Offices have been identified as the first point of engagement for title holders seeking to establish their outstanding balances and regularise their accounts.
Dr Wushe also directed ministry officials to take a proactive approach by engaging title holders rather than waiting for them to approach government offices.
“Go out there and encourage miners to pay before the deadline. We want to see compliance, not confrontation,” he said.
The ministry’s position allows title holders who are unable to immediately clear their arrears to formally communicate with government and propose a mechanism for settling their outstanding obligations.
With title fee arrears now standing at approximately US$31 million, the ministry is seeking to recover the outstanding revenue while maintaining engagement with mining companies and other title holders across the sector.
