Mining ZimbabweLatest Mining News, Policy and Industry Updates

The Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Polite Kambamura, says the government is preparing to compel mining companies to take students on industrial attachment, amid growing concerns over rising unemployment among mining graduates.

By Ryan Chigoche

Over the years, more institutions have increased enrolment in mining-related programmes, resulting in a fast-growing pool of graduates.

However, the job market has not expanded at the same pace, leaving many aspiring professionals unable to secure the attachment opportunities required to complete their training.

Speaking during a press conference at his swearing-in ceremony as the new Minister, Dr Kambamura said the government is now stepping in to address this widening mismatch.

“Graduates or our undergraduates are not finding attachment, so we are going to make it mandatory for mining companies to absorb students on attachment. In that pillar, we are also going to strengthen skills and knowledge transfer for people.”

The job crisis in the mining sector comes despite the recent growth of Zimbabwe’s mining industry, driven by increased investment.

Companies have nonetheless been criticised for preferring foreign workers or prioritising degree holders, sidelining other qualified graduates.

As the number of graduates rises, industry players warn that the sector can no longer absorb the volume of learners seeking placement.

A senior executive from a leading mining company told Mining Zimbabwe that the situation has become “dire,” with the output of mining graduates far exceeding available opportunities.

He said employment is determined by operational needs, and the current levels of enrolment across training institutions are simply “more than what industry can absorb.”

Economic pressures, commodity price fluctuations, and ongoing operational challenges across the sector have further limited job openings for new entrants.

However, the proposed mandatory attachment policy, if implemented, will help ease the burden by ensuring every mining student receives practical training and by strengthening the sector’s skills pipeline through deliberate knowledge transfer.

Zimbabwe’s newly appointed Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Polite Kambamura, has declared an immediate end to the era of reckless, unregulated extraction, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Framing his tenure as a decisive reset, the minister is placing a laser focus on “quality investors” while unequivocally stating that “the issue of mining all over is now gone.”

This stance, articulated in his first public remarks since taking office, introduces a stringent filter for capital, prioritising strategic, responsible, and law-abiding partners over the rush for any and all investment that has historically led to environmental degradation, community conflict, and revenue leakage.

Minister Kambamura’s comments serve as a direct correction to the perceived excesses of the recent past. While reaffirming President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s foundational open-for-business policy, he made clear that the phrase had been dangerously misinterpreted. “The President has said Zimbabwe is open for business, but some people have taken that to mean otherwise,” Kambamura stated, drawing a clear line in the sand.

This “otherwise” is a pointed reference to a pattern of speculative and illicit mining operations that have plagued the sector. These range from poorly capitalised juniors acquiring vast claims only to flip them, to well-connected actors engaging in “pegging and so forth” without community consultation or proper environmental plans. The result has often been “haphazard mining”—short-term exploitation that leaves long-term scars.

So, what defines a “quality investor” under Kambamura’s new regime? His framework rests on three non-negotiable pillars:

1. Respect for Sovereignty and Law: Investors must demonstrate a firm commitment to operating within Zimbabwe’s legal framework, not seeking loopholes or relying on political patronage to circumvent regulations. This includes strict adherence to revised indigenisation laws, tax codes, and newly emphasised export controls designed to halt mineral smuggling.

2. Deep Community Integration as a Prerequisite: Consultation is no longer an afterthought. “Respecting the communities… consultation with the communities prior to mining and pegging” is now a mandatory first step. This policy aims to prevent the all-too-common clashes between mining companies and local populations, ensuring social licence is secured through genuine partnership and shared benefit plans before a single hectare is claimed.

3. Strategic Alignment with National Goals: A quality investor is one whose operational plan and capital commitment advance Zimbabwe’s macroeconomic objectives, particularly the goal of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030. This means investors who bring not just extraction, but value addition: building processing plants, transferring technology, and developing local skills.

The declaration that “the issue of mining all over is now gone” is perhaps the most significant operational shift. It signals the end of the free-for-all claim staking that has led to inefficient, fragmented, and environmentally damaging operations.

This new approach calls for:

• Scientifically Planned Exploration: Future mining will be guided by comprehensive national geological data, directing investment to the most viable and strategic deposits rather than allowing speculative pegging in ecologically or socially sensitive zones.

• Consolidation and Formalisation: A push to formalise the chaotic artisanal sector and consolidate small, inefficient claims into larger, economically sustainable blocks that can support modern, regulated operations.

• Strict Zoning and Land-Use Planning: Close coordination with environmental, local government, and agricultural authorities to ensure mining occurs in appropriately designated areas, protecting food security and critical ecosystems.

This recalibration will immediately reshape Zimbabwe’s investment landscape. Junior explorers and short-term speculators may find the doors closing, while major, well-capitalised firms with proven ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) credentials and long-term value-addition strategies will be positioned as preferred partners.

The policy plays directly into global trends. Western and multilateral financial institutions are increasingly tying funding to strict ESG compliance. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s vast lithium reserves—critical for the global energy transition—are attracting battery manufacturers who require large, stable, and ethically sourced supply chains. Kambamura’s framework is designed to make Zimbabwe a more credible partner for this high-stakes market.

Announcing the policy is one thing; enforcing it is another. The minister faces formidable obstacles:

• Rooting Out Entrenched Interests: The “haphazard mining” model has benefited powerful political and security sector elites. Resisting their pressure will be a critical test of the policy’s integrity.

• Building Institutional Capacity: The ministry must rapidly enhance its own capacity to scrutinise investors, monitor compliance, and enforce regulations—a task that has historically been hampered by limited resources.

• Balancing Speed and Scrutiny: As the government urgently seeks foreign investment to bolster its struggling economy, it must avoid the temptation to bypass its own new rules for ostensibly “quick-win” deals.

Minister Polite Kambamura’s first message is not one of bland reassurance to the global market. It is a conditional invitation and a stark warning. Zimbabwe remains open for business, but on its own terms—terms that prioritise sustainable national development over rapid, reckless extraction.

By demanding quality investment and outlawing haphazard mining, he is attempting to lay a new foundation for the sector. If successfully implemented, this shift could begin to convert Zimbabwe’s subterranean wealth into visible, lasting above-ground prosperity. If it fails, it will join a long list of unmet reforms. The world’s mining giants, from Johannesburg to London to Beijing, are now carefully watching to see if the words will become reality.

Ariana Resources Plc has strengthened its drive to advance the Dokwe Gold Project in Zimbabwe after securing a US$5.31 million strategic investment to fund metallurgical test work and complete a definitive feasibility study (DFS), Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

The funding marks a significant step in Ariana’s efforts to accelerate the development of what is shaping up to be one of the country’s most promising new gold assets. The company recently launched a fresh phase of drilling aimed at expanding and refining its mineralisation model at Dokwe. Current estimates put the deposit at over one million ounces of gold, giving it an in-ground value of nearly US$4 billion at prevailing prices.

To support progress toward feasibility, Ariana has entered into a strategic partnership with Hong Kong Xinhai Mining Services. Xinhai has already paid a non-refundable AU$500,000 (about US$332 244) exclusivity fee, allowing Ariana to continue advancing the project while both sides work toward finalising binding agreements for the full investment.

Under the proposed terms, Ariana will receive up to AU$11 million (US$7.3 million) once all agreements are executed and conditions are met. In exchange, the company will issue up to 36 666 667 CHESS Depositary Interests (CDIs) at AU$0.30 per CDI, subject to shareholder approval where necessary and compliance with ASX and AIM requirements. CDIs enable investors to trade shares of foreign-incorporated companies on the Australian Securities Exchange.

The investment will be rolled out in three stages, each tied to specific technical milestones for the Dokwe project.

The first tranche will see Ariana receive AU$8 million (US$5.31 million) in cash for 26,666,667 CDIs. This amount includes the earlier signing fee, which will convert to CDIs if the parties fail to conclude definitive agreements by 31 January 2026. Completion of the tranche will also give Xinhai the right to nominate John Zhang to the Ariana board.

In the second tranche, Ariana will receive AU$1 million (US$664 450.70) worth of metallurgical sampling and test work services. These services, critical for understanding Dokwe’s processing characteristics, will be settled through the issuance of 3,333,333 CDIs.

The third and final tranche covers technical services valued at up to AU$2 million (US$1.32 million) to complete the DFS. Ariana will issue up to 6,666,667 CDIs in return. This stage is expected to deliver the detailed technical and economic analyses required to move Dokwe toward development readiness.

Ariana said all funds and service value from the investment will be channelled toward working capital and project advancement, giving the company greater financial flexibility as it pushes the project through its next development phases.

This development comes at a time when gold prices are projected to maintain a bullish trajectory, supported by strong investor sentiment, persistent global economic uncertainty and sustained demand for safe-haven assets.

Dr Polite Kambamura is set to be sworn in today as Zimbabwe’s new Minister of Mines and Mining Development, at State House, following his surprise appointment announced earlier this week.

The swearing-in ceremony will see Dr Kambamura officially assume his duties immediately after taking the oath of office.

Dr Kambamura’s appointment has been received with interest across the mining industry, which is currently undergoing major policy and structural reforms, including the implementation of the new Responsible Mining Audit Framework and the revision of several mining laws.

Industry players say his experience in both Engineering and governance positions him to steer the ministry at a time when issues such as transparency, compliance, investor confidence and value addition are under intense national scrutiny.

He takes over as Minister after serving as Deputy since 2017.

Dr Kambamura is expected to outline his immediate priorities after the swearing-in ceremony, with stakeholders hoping for continuity, clarity and decisive action to address long-standing challenges in the sector.

The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development this week began piloting a new Responsible Mining Audit (RMA) Framework at selected mining sites, marking the first field implementation of a revised system aimed at strengthening compliance in the sector, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

The ongoing pilot sees Ministry inspectors leading a unified team of officials from several government MDAs, including the Environmental Management Agency, Immigration Department and National Social Security Authority.

The pilot comes at a time when the mining sector continues to face widespread non-compliance, particularly among small-scale operators. Reports from the first two audits indicate the presence of repeat offenders, suggesting that voluntary compliance alone has been insufficient. Authorities say this underscores the need for a more structured and coordinated approach that combines oversight with guidance, ensuring miners meet operational, environmental and legal standards.

The RMA concept was first introduced through audits conducted in 2023 and 2024 to strengthen compliance across Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

While those audits were considered progressive, a government-commissioned gap analysis led by ENM Advisory highlighted weaknesses such as fragmented inspections, uneven documentation checks and limited coordination among regulatory agencies.

The review also noted the absence of a clear roadmap linking audits to legislative mandates, strategic national goals and international ESG benchmarks, limiting their effectiveness as tools for measurable, sustainable transformation.

Insights from this analysis informed the design of the new, more robust RMA Framework, which is now being piloted with support from civil society organisations, including the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO).

The current pilot tests a coordinated inspection system across multiple MDAs, aiming to improve transparency and provide practical guidance to miners, with the success of the pilot expected to inform future legislative reforms.

The nationwide framework will strengthen governance, environmental safeguards and worker protections throughout Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

Officials emphasised that the audit is educational, not punitive, particularly for small-scale miners. Many compliance gaps identified in previous audits were linked to limited awareness rather than deliberate violations, and the framework is designed to guide operators towards safe, environmentally responsible and legally compliant practices.

With the pilot now underway, the Ministry is testing a system that balances enforcement with education, signalling a more structured and responsible approach to mining oversight in the country.

Kavango Resources Plc has given itself more time to wrap up the takeover of the Nara Gold Project in southern Zimbabwe, extending the completion deadline to 27 February 2026 as both sides work through outstanding legal requirements, Mining Zimbabwe reports.

By Ryan Chigoche

Nara comprises 45 adjoining gold claims covering four historic mines that collectively yielded over 90,000 ounces in the past, although the ground has never been tested with proper modern exploration techniques. The asset sits within the Filabusi Greenstone Belt, a well-known gold corridor that remains largely underexplored despite decades of small-scale activity.

Kavango, which now controls three gold projects in the country, Hillside, Nara and Leopard, says the extension allows it and the seller to finalise all remaining paperwork.

“Kavango and the seller have agreed to extend completion to 27 February 2026, to facilitate finalisation of the legal formalities. Both parties remain committed to completion and the execution of the Nara sale and purchase agreement as soon as possible,” the company said.

The miner’s local exploration strategy is centred on the Hillside Project, its flagship target consisting of 44 claims stretching across 503 hectares. Nara and Leopard form the remainder of its Zimbabwe portfolio.

Kavango earlier announced a US$5 million funding commitment from Purebond Limited, earmarked for the Nara transaction and to boost working capital as the company prepares for a capital raise linked to its planned listing on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange.

Work at Nara is largely focused on the historic Killarney Mine, where artisanal miners operate on upper levels while deeper sections remain flooded. Kavango believes this waterlogging may have shielded untouched mineralisation for decades.

“Kavango believes that flooding at deeper levels may have preserved significant unmined gold mineralisation until now,” the company said.

Recent drilling appears to support that optimism.

“Drilling at Killarney has confirmed a gold-bearing system beneath existing workings. Key results from hole NAKLDD001 intersected new mineralised hanging wall and footwall zones, supported by IP data identifying a strong resistivity low coincident with the core of the mine workings.”

According to the company, the geological signatures point to mineralisation continuing both along strike and at depth, giving further weight to the project’s potential.

The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has this week begun piloting a new National Responsible Mining Audit Framework (NRMAF) at selected mining sites, marking the first field implementation of a revised system aimed at strengthening compliance in the sector, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

The ongoing pilot sees Ministry inspectors leading a unified team of officials from several government MDAs, including the Environmental Management Agency, Immigration Department, and National Social Security Authority.

The pilot comes at a time when the mining sector continues to face widespread non-compliance, particularly among small-scale operators. Reports from the first two audits indicate the presence of repeat offenders, suggesting that voluntary compliance alone has been insufficient. Authorities say this underscores the need for a more structured and coordinated approach that combines oversight with guidance, ensuring miners meet operational, environmental, and legal standards.

The RMA concept was first introduced through audits conducted in 2023 and 2024 to strengthen compliance across Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

While those audits were considered progressive, a government-commissioned gap analysis led by ENM Advisory highlighted weaknesses such as fragmented inspections, uneven documentation checks, and limited coordination among regulatory agencies.

The review also noted the absence of a clear roadmap linking audits to legislative mandates, strategic national goals, and international ESG benchmarks, limiting their effectiveness as tools for measurable, sustainable transformation.

Insights from this analysis informed the design of the new, more robust RMA Framework, which is now being piloted with support from civil society organisations, including the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO).

The current pilot tests a coordinated inspection system across multiple MDAs, aiming to improve transparency and provide practical guidance to miners, with the success of the pilot expected to inform future legislative reforms.

The nationwide framework will strengthen governance, environmental safeguards, and worker protections throughout Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

Officials emphasised that the audit is educational, not punitive, particularly for small-scale miners. Many compliance gaps identified in previous audits were linked to limited awareness rather than deliberate violations, and the framework is designed to guide operators towards safe, environmentally responsible, and legally compliant practices.

With the pilot now underway, the Ministry is testing a system that balances enforcement with education, signalling a more structured and responsible approach to mining oversight in the country.