All preparations are complete for the 2025 Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe’s (COMZ) Annual Mining Conference and Exhibition, scheduled to take place from May 21 to 24, 2025, at the Elephant Hills Resort in Victoria Falls.
By Ryan Chigoche
This event is set to be one of the most important gatherings of mining stakeholders in the region this year, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and experts to shape the future of Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
The 2025 conference will be held under the theme, “Unlocking Growth Potential for the Zimbabwe Mining Industry.” This theme reflects a collective commitment to creating an environment that supports sustainable growth and drives the economic transformation Zimbabwe aims to achieve.
Speaking to journalists at the Chamber’s headquarters, COMZ CEO Isaac Kwesu highlighted the broad range of topics to be discussed during the conference. He said:
“We have a number of thematic issues that will cover these aspects. We will also be discussing local content and empowerment in the mining industry, energy and other infrastructure matters that are key to the mining sector, and exploration in the mining industry, which I think will be a topical issue, especially when we talk about how to develop and grow our mining industry. The prospects of the coal and fossil fuel sector, including oil, will also be a main session. We will have speakers from the coal industry sharing how their projects have been growing, as well as updates on oil exploration in Musarabani.”
Kwesu also emphasised the long-standing tradition and impact of the conference:
“We have been hosting this conference since time immemorial. These are platforms where key stakeholders meet not just to discuss but also to resolve issues. Our experience has been that these conferences are very impactful. In the past, we have seen several issues undermining our sector being resolved, sometimes during briefings with the minister or the president, or through the outcomes shared at the conference.”
The conference will span four days, starting on May 21, which will feature closed-door sessions including the Constitutional Council meeting and the AGM. These meetings are important for renewing membership, electing leadership, and addressing key governance matters.
On May 22, two mineral-specific symposiums will be held. The morning will focus on gold, featuring keynote speakers such as Mr. Mzila Mthenjane, CEO of the Minerals Council of South Africa; Mr. Joshua Mortoti, Executive Vice President and Head of West Africa for Gold Fields; and Mr. Sakliff, Managing Director of Comstack.
In the afternoon, the Platinum Group Metals (PGM) Indaba will be hosted. Kwesu explained that this Indaba will discuss pertinent issues in the PGM sector.
Presentations will be given by regional and international experts, including Mr. Kos from CFA Oxford, who will share global perspectives on the PGM industry, recent market developments, and the price outlook.
The main conference will take place on May 23, officially opened by the guest of honour, Winston Chitando, Minister of Mines and Mining Development.
Other notable speakers include John Mushayavanhu, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe; David Mnangagwa, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development; and Regina Chinamasa, Commissioner General of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority.
They will address vital topics such as the mining sector’s contribution to the economy, fiscal and tax policies affecting mining, local content and empowerment, infrastructure challenges, exploration opportunities, prospects in the coal and fossil fuel sectors, oil exploration in Musarabani, and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues.
The final day, May 24, will offer a relaxed setting with networking opportunities, including a golf tournament and business matching sessions to help participants forge new partnerships and strengthen existing ones.
With a strong lineup of speakers and a comprehensive agenda, the 2025 COMZ AGM and Conference promises to be a landmark event, unlocking the growth potential of Zimbabwe’s mining industry and playing a key role in the country’s economic transformation.
