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A few years ago, a colleague came to my office with a foreign Investor who had just signed an agreement of sale for a substantial Gold Mine. They arrived looking rather troubled, but the Investor’s face told the story before anyone had said a word. 

As we discussed the transaction, I soon discovered the reason for his concern. Although he had signed an agreement of sale, he had not carried out the necessary checks on the Mine before committing himself. What appeared to be an exciting investment was carrying a ZIMRA legacy debt of approximately US$1 million. 

That discovery immediately changed the atmosphere. The Investor could not simply walk into the Ministry of Mines and change ownership of the mining title as though nothing had happened. The outstanding tax liability had to be addressed. Depending on the circumstances, the parties would need to establish whether the debt had been settled, whether an approved arrangement or moratorium could be obtained from ZIMRA, and whether the relevant authorities would accept the proposed transfer. 

There was another painful twist. As soon as the Seller received the purchase price, he disappeared. When the Investor tried to contact him, he was told that the Seller had relocated to his country of origin and was no longer locally available. The Investor had paid for a Mine that he could not yet transfer, while the person who had promised to assist with the process was now outside the jurisdiction. Any legal recourse had become significantly more difficult, expensive and uncertain. 

The agreement of sale had been signed, but the transaction was far from complete. In fact, the most important question was no longer, “How much is the Mine worth?” It was, “Can the Mine legally and practically be transferred to the Buyer?” 

The matter was a serious reminder that signing an agreement of sale is not the same as acquiring a mining title. A Buyer may pay a deposit, take possession of equipment or begin planning future operations, but still be unable to register the change of ownership if statutory obligations and regulatory requirements have not been properly dealt with. 

This raises an important question for every person buying or selling a Mine in Zimbabwe; “What must happen before the Buyer can be recognised as the new holder of the mining title?.” 

A signature is not a transfer 

Under Zimbabwe’s mining framework, mining rights are regulated by the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05] and administered through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and its relevant officials. The law provides for the approval and registration of transfers of mining locations and mining leases. The process depends on the title and transaction, but a private agreement does not, by itself, change the official mining record. 

An agreement of sale records the parties’ promises, including payment, transfer, warranties, indemnities and completion conditions. Until the statutory and administrative requirements are met, however, the Buyer may have contractual rights against the Seller rather than a registered title in his own name. 

The Seller may say, “The Mine is sold,” while the Ministry is still asking whether the transfer is approved, the documents are complete, taxes are dealt with and registration is legally possible. That is why the sale agreement must not be treated as the end of the process. It should be treated as the document that controls the journey to completion. 

First establish what is actually being sold 

Before asking how ownership will change, the Buyer must establish what is being acquired. Is it a mining claim, a block of claims, a mining lease, a company holding the mining title, or merely an operating interest? These are not interchangeable transactions. 

The Buyer should inspect the original or certified mining title, registration certificate, location details, boundaries, renewal or inspection records and correspondence with the mining authorities. The name on the title must be compared with the identity of the Seller. If the Seller is a company, the Buyer should confirm that the company is properly authorised to sell and that the directors or representatives signing the agreement have authority to bind it. 

If shares are acquired instead of the title itself, the title may remain in the company’s name while control changes. Due diligence becomes more important because the Buyer may inherit historic tax, contractual, employment and regulatory liabilities. 

The Buyer should investigate whether a Partner, Sponsor, Creditor or Joint Venture participant may claim an interest. A name on a certificate may not answer every question about control or contractual rights. 

The ZIMRA debt that changed everything 

The most dramatic issue in the story was the ZIMRA legacy debt. It demonstrated why tax investigations must occur before the agreement is signed, not after the Buyer has paid a deposit. 

ZIMRA’s published guidance explains that Special Capital Gains Tax applies to transfers of mining title under Section 30B of the Capital Gains Tax Act. The guidance indicates that the tax may apply not only to a straightforward transfer, but also to certain transactions involving companies, shareholders, beneficial owners and persons holding an interest in mining title. 

The parties must determine the tax due, who pays it, what returns and supporting information are required and when payment is due. ZIMRA states that for mining titles transferred after 1 January 2024, Special Capital Gains Tax is due within 30 days after assessment. 

A Buyer should not assume that tax is solely the Seller’s problem. An unpaid liability may delay recognition of the transfer and interfere with financing, renewal or operations, even where the contract makes the Seller responsible. 

Obtain a written tax position and conduct an independent review. If there is a debt, do not rely on “ZIMRA will allow us to pay later.” Confirm any approved arrangement or moratorium in writing and establish whether the Ministry of Mines will accept it. A ZIMRA arrangement does not automatically guarantee another authority’s approval. 

This is also where the sale agreement should protect the Buyer. Completion of the transaction should be conditional upon satisfactory tax clearance or an agreed written arrangement, acceptance by the relevant authority, and delivery of evidence that all required returns, assessments and payments have been dealt with. 

Other debts can block a clean handover 

Tax is not the only liability that can follow a Mine. The Buyer should investigate mining fees, royalties, penalties, employee obligations, supplier accounts, equipment finance, loans, environmental commitments and outstanding statutory returns. 

A Mine may appear profitable while carrying debts that are invisible at the site. A Sponsor may have financed operations in exchange for a percentage of production. A plant may belong to an equipment owner who expects payment before it can be moved or sold. Ore may have been committed to an off-taker under an agreement that the Buyer has never seen. A former partner may claim that the Seller had no right to sell without consent. 

These matters can delay completion or become disputes after possession. Request a schedule of debts, inspect the underlying agreements and require disclosure of threatened claims. Where necessary, obtain written releases, consents or settlement confirmations. 

Do not take possession early without advice. Moving equipment, starting operations or spending development money may create exposure before the title is acquired. Possession is not ownership, and expenditure is not registration. 

Check the Mine’s legal and operational permissions 

A mining title is not the only permission that may matter. Depending on the operation, the Buyer may need to investigate environmental approvals, water rights, access arrangements, plant or custom-milling requirements, labour compliance, explosives, Mineral marketing and landowner issues. 

Ask whether environmental approvals and rehabilitation obligations are in order, whether access is secure and whether operations remain within the title boundaries. An unresolved environmental or access problem may become an expensive liability. 

The technical investigation is equally important. Examine geological reports, sampling, production, recovery, plant capacity, maintenance and the basis for the price. Legal due diligence asks whether the right can be acquired; technical and financial due diligence asks whether it is worth acquiring. 

Draft the sale agreement around completion of the transaction 

A well-drafted agreement should do more than state the price. It should identify the steps before completion and the party responsible for each. It should address the title, price and deposit, tax, statutory fees, approvals, documents, consents, releases, equipment and liabilities. It should state whether early access is permitted, who bears operational risk and what happens if approval is refused or a material debt is discovered. 

The Seller should give warranties about title, authority, disputes, encumbrances, tax, debts, equipment and compliance. The Buyer should negotiate indemnities for liabilities arising from the Seller’s period of ownership. Payment should be linked to milestones rather than made entirely on trust. Where appropriate, part of the price may be retained until transfer is registered and agreed conditions are satisfied. 

It should also contain a long-stop date and termination provisions, including whether the Buyer receives a refund, whether the Seller gets time to remedy the problem and who bears the costs. 

Completing the transaction is a process, not a ceremony 

Completion of the whole transaction should involve a checklist. Confirm approvals, tax and agreed debts, lodged documents, releases, and acceptance or registration of the transfer where required. Retain copies of transfer documents, receipts, correspondence, certificates, approvals and payment evidence for financing, audits, renewals, disputes or future transfer. 

The central lesson is simple. A Buyer does not acquire a Zimbabwean Mine safely by signing a document alone. The Buyer must confirm the title, investigate liabilities, satisfy tax and regulatory requirements, and ensure that the transfer is properly recognised by the relevant authorities. 

The Investor was fortunate that the debt was discovered before further investment. It was unpleasant, but better than learning about the US$2 million liability after paying the full price and developing the operation. 

A Mine may be rich in Gold and still be poor in legal readiness. Before signing, investigate. Before paying, verify. Before taking possession, obtain advice. And before declaring, “The Mine is mine,” make sure the official record can say the same. 

This article is for general information and is not a substitute for formal legal, tax or technical advice. The current Ministry of Mines and ZIMRA requirements should be confirmed for the particular title and transaction before completion. 

Namatirai Ruzvidzo is a registered Legal Practitioner, Conveyancer and Notary Public .She possesses over 15 years specializing in Commercial law, Mining law and Property law. She practices in Avondale, Harare under the Law Firm, Ruzvidzo Legal Counsel.

She can be reached on +263 784 228 534 or email [email protected] copying [email protected] 

Zimbabwe’s exports across selected iron and steel product lines surged to about US$150.3 million in the first seven months of 2026, more than three times the comparable figure last year, as new domestic steelmaking capacity begins to translate into significant export earnings, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

Data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) shows exports across four major steel product categories rose from about US$46.3 million in January-July 2025 to US$150.3 million in the same period this year, representing an increase of roughly 224%. ZIMSTAT publishes monthly trade data classified by product and HS4, allowing the performance of individual steel categories to be tracked.

The growth was spread across both primary and finished steel products. Pig iron exports rose to about US$30.5 million, from US$6.7 million, while semi-finished products of non-alloy steel contributed approximately US$33.2 million.

Hot-rolled bars and rods in irregular coils generated about US$43.1 million, while another bars and rods category contributed roughly US$43.6 million, compared with US$9.9 million a year earlier.

The surge comes as Zimbabwe begins to rebuild an industry that for years struggled to meet domestic demand following the collapse of the Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company (ZISCO). Much of the country’s steel requirements were subsequently met through imports, leaving Zimbabwe with limited capacity to process its iron ore into higher-value products.

That is beginning to change with the emergence of Dinson Iron and Steel Company’s Manhize plant, which has given the country new primary steelmaking capacity and opened a route into regional export markets.

Dinson, controlled by China’s Tsingshan Group, has installed annual production capacity of about 600,000 tonnes and has indicated that around 60% of its output is destined for export markets. The company is considering an expansion that would take capacity to about 1.8 million tonnes a year.

With production rising, regional markets are becoming increasingly important to the economics of Zimbabwe’s steel industry.

ZIMSTAT’s July trade data shows iron, steel and related products accounted for 7.5% of Zimbabwe’s US$371 million exports to SADC, equivalent to about US$27.8 million. Within COMESA, the products accounted for 30.6% of exports, or roughly US$8.8 million of the bloc’s US$28.8 million imports from Zimbabwe.

The regional demand comes as Zimbabwe seeks to rebuild its manufacturing base while reducing its dependence on imported steel. But the latest trade figures also show that local production has not yet eliminated the import market.

Iron, steel and related articles accounted for 6.3% of Zimbabwe’s US$542.9 million imports from SADC in July, indicating that domestic producers are still not supplying the full range of products required by construction, mining and manufacturing companies.

For the steel industry, the next challenge will be sustaining export markets as production expands. If Manhize proceeds with its planned expansion, rail capacity, freight costs and regional trade conditions will become increasingly important to maintaining competitiveness.

The US$150.3 million in steel exports provides an early indication that Zimbabwe’s renewed steelmaking capacity is beginning to move beyond import substitution and establish a foothold in regional markets.

Zimbabwean mining executive James Musadaidzwa has returned home to take charge of Kavango Resources plc as the London- and VFEX-listed company advances its ambition of building a sustainable, cash-generative gold mining business in Zimbabwe.

Victoria Falls Stock Exchange-listed mining and exploration junior Kavango Resources plc has appointed Musadaidzwa as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director with immediate effect, bringing more than 27 years of mining experience to the Southern Africa-focused exploration and mining company, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Musadaidzwa spent 17 years with AngloGold Ashanti, holding senior operational and executive leadership positions across several of Africa’s major gold-producing jurisdictions.

His appointment comes at a critical stage for Kavango as the company builds its operational platform in Zimbabwe and progresses towards gold production.

Most recently, Musadaidzwa served as Senior Vice President of AngloGold Ashanti’s Guinea Business Unit, where Kavango said he led a significant operational and financial turnaround.

During his tenure, the operation’s life of mine was extended from 2026 to 2034, its net present value doubled and the business returned to sustainable cash generation.

Before that, he served as Senior Vice President of Operations for AngloGold Ashanti’s Africa Region, with responsibility for four mines across Ghana, Tanzania, Mali and Guinea.

The operations collectively produced approximately 1.1 million ounces of gold annually, generated around US$2 billion in revenue and employed more than 14,000 people.

His previous roles also included Managing Director and General Manager of the Iduapriem Gold Mine in Ghana, Operations Manager at the Siguiri Gold Mine in Guinea, and senior technical and operational positions at the Geita Gold Mine in Tanzania.

Before joining AngloGold Ashanti, Musadaidzwa worked for Anglo American at the Skorpion Zinc Mine in Namibia.

Musadaidzwa Returns to Zimbabwe

For Musadaidzwa, the appointment represents a return to the country where his mining career began nearly three decades ago.

“Joining Kavango is an opportunity that carries particular significance for me. I began my mining career in Zimbabwe nearly three decades ago, and I am extremely excited to be returning to help build a mining company with the ambition to create lasting value in the country and across Southern Africa,” he said.

Musadaidzwa said his immediate focus would be working with Kavango’s team in Zimbabwe to strengthen the company’s operational capability and build on the foundation already established.

“Kavango has already established an exciting platform in Zimbabwe. My immediate priority will be to work with the team to build on that foundation, strengthen our operational capability and progress the Company towards becoming a sustainable, cash-generative mining business,” he said.

Leadership Transition

Following Musadaidzwa’s appointment, Donald McAlister has relinquished his role as Interim Chief Executive Officer and moved from Non-Executive Chairman to Executive Chairman of the company.

McAlister said Musadaidzwa’s appointment marked an important step in Kavango’s development.

“Jasper is an outstanding mining executive with a proven record of building, improving and leading major operations across Africa, and I am delighted that he has agreed to join Kavango as our new Chief Executive Officer,” McAlister said.

“Kavango has reached an important stage of its development. We have established a growing operational platform in Zimbabwe, and our ambition is to build this into a substantial and sustainable mining business, while continuing to advance the exploration potential across our wider portfolio.”

Kavango is listed in London and on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange, where it completed a secondary listing in September 2025.

The company is currently developing its operational capacity in Zimbabwe, including at its Hillside Gold Project, where it has been commissioning a 50-tonne-per-day gold processing plant as part of its transition from exploration and development towards production.

Musadaidzwa’s appointment gives Kavango an experienced African mining executive at the helm as the company seeks to convert its growing Zimbabwean operational platform into a sustainable, cash-generating mining business.

A Chinese national accused of masterminding an alleged scheme to smuggle 720 tonnes of unbeneficiated lithium ore out of Zimbabwe has been remanded in custody pending a bail hearing, as authorities step up efforts to curb the illegal movement of the country’s mineral resources.

MinMin Song (30), finance director of Orequest (Pvt) Ltd, appeared before Harare magistrate Jessy Kufa on Saturday facing allegations of facilitating an illegal lithium processing and export operation at Ruwa.

Song, who was represented by lawyer Braine Hwachi, was remanded in custody until Tuesday, when her bail application is expected to be heard.

The case comes as Zimbabwe intensifies its crackdown on mineral smuggling and tightens controls over lithium exports as part of a broader push to retain more value from its mineral resources.

Government suspended exports of lithium concentrates and raw lithium minerals in February, while producers are expected to move towards local beneficiation ahead of the January 2027 deadline for the end of concentrate exports.

The alleged movement of 720 tonnes therefore comes against a significantly tougher regulatory backdrop, with authorities seeking to prevent raw and semi-processed lithium from leaving the country outside the approved export framework.

The State alleges Song worked with Orequest co-director Ning Yaokun, who remains at large, and another Chinese national identified as Andy to establish an operation designed to process and move lithium ore to China using fraudulent export documentation.

Prosecutors allege the operation was established in December 2025 after Song and Yaokun leased a six-hectare property at Plot 5 Cheltenham Park Drive, Ruwa, for US$2,000 a month.

The property was allegedly equipped with jaw crushers, front-end loaders, wheelbarrows and TLB machines, while prefabricated structures were erected and local workers hired.

According to the State, the operation began stockpiling lithium ore in April, with processing for export starting the following month.

Song is also accused of working with Shuvai Muza and Charlene Tanyaradzwa Chivandire, who are already on remand, to prepare fraudulent documentation, organise haulage and facilitate payments linked to the alleged operation.

The State alleges Orequest initially booked 40 shipping containers with Maersk Harare, while Muza and Chivandire allegedly worked with transport brokers to secure heavy-haulage trucks.

The alleged operation also involved Mutare clearing agent Brian Sakarombe, who prosecutors claim was supplied with fraudulent export documents carrying the name of Bikita Minerals to facilitate customs clearance.

The use of the allegedly fraudulent Bikita Minerals documents adds another layer to the case, given the company’s position among Zimbabwe’s major lithium producers operating under the country’s controlled export regime.

Sakarombe was subsequently arrested after allegedly attempting to bribe Zimbabwe Revenue Authority officials following the interception of two trucks carrying lithium ore at Forbes Border Post.

Prosecutors allege that 23 trucks, each carrying about 30 tonnes of lithium ore, successfully passed through Forbes Border Post, while a further 30 tonnes had been cleared, bringing the alleged quantity exported to 720 tonnes.

Authorities subsequently recovered 420 tonnes of lithium following the investigation.

Of the recovered material, 300 tonnes were allegedly found stockpiled at the Ruwa premises, while another 60 tonnes were recovered from two containers abandoned at a truck stop in Lochinvar, Harare. A further 60 tonnes were intercepted at Forbes Border Post.

The alleged scheme came to light on July 23 after trucks carrying lithium were intercepted at the border while allegedly presenting fraudulent Bikita Minerals export documentation.

The case forms part of a wider mineral-smuggling problem confronting Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe recently recorded 18 suspected mineral-smuggling and irregular-movement cases between January and August 20, involving 2,654.88 tonnes of mineral material and metal scrap, with lithium, chrome and silica among the minerals implicated.

The growing enforcement focus comes as Zimbabwe seeks to ensure that its mineral wealth contributes more significantly to domestic industrialisation rather than being exported in raw or minimally processed form.

The State alleges the operation caused financial prejudice to Zimbabwe, although the value of the loss is yet to be established by Ministry of Mines evaluators.

Song remains in custody pending the Tuesday bail hearing.

Zimbabwe is increasingly demonstrating its willingness to engage international investors and attract capital into its mining sector, according to Ariana Resources PLC Managing Director Dr Kerim Sener, who described the message coming from the country at the Africa Down Under conference as clear: Zimbabwe is open for business, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Sener made the remarks in an interview with Mining Zimbabwe at the Africa Down Under conference in Perth, where Zimbabwe’s delegation engaged international investors, mining companies, suppliers, and other industry stakeholders.

“What we found in those engagements is a very powerful message that’s been coming out through the delegation from Zimbabwe: that Zimbabwe is open for business, it’s engaging with the international community, and it’s attracting capital,” Sener said.

He said attracting international capital was critical to developing Zimbabwe’s mineral deposits and unlocking the value of assets across the country.

“And of course, this is something that’s very much needed in the development of Zimbabwean mineral deposits and the assets in the country,” he said.

Ariana’s Zimbabwe Investment

Ariana has been operating in Africa for more than 20 years and is focused on advancing its interests in Zimbabwe through the Dokwe Gold Project, located in southern Zimbabwe near Bulawayo.

The company describes Dokwe as a feasibility-stage project with a 1.42-million-ounce JORC measured, indicated, and inferred mineral resource.

Ariana is currently advancing the project towards feasibility, with Sener highlighting the importance of working with international partners, investors, and suppliers as the company progresses its development plans.

The company’s shareholder information also shows a significant interest held by Hong Kong Xinhai Mining Services, reflecting the international partnerships surrounding Ariana.

For Ariana, Zimbabwe’s ability to attract international capital and technical expertise is directly relevant to the advancement of projects such as Dokwe.

Perth Opens More Doors

Sener said Africa Down Under provided Ariana with an opportunity to engage investors and suppliers with experience in developing mining projects across Africa.

“One of the things that brought us to the Africa Down Under conference is to engage with international investors and suppliers that are heavily involved in the development of the African continent,” he said.

He described the engagements as an opportunity to maintain relationships with existing partners while opening discussions with potential new ones.

“It’s been a wonderful opportunity to interact, to maintain dialogue with existing partners, and also to engage with potential new partners and to really draw attention to the country of Zimbabwe, which is our main area of focus as we progress the feasibility study of the Dokwe project,” Sener said.

A Positive Message for Zimbabwe

Sener’s comments provide an external investor perspective on Zimbabwe’s efforts to re-engage with international capital.

For mining companies already operating in the country, increased engagement with investors, suppliers, and technical partners could help accelerate project development and bring additional expertise into the sector.

Ariana’s own commitment to Dokwe places it among companies seeking to translate Zimbabwe’s mineral potential into investable mining projects.

“We are very proud to be a part of that journey as we progress our own project,” Sener said.

With Dokwe moving through the feasibility stage, Ariana will now be looking to build on the relationships developed in Perth as it advances the project.

For Zimbabwe, the message from Ariana is significant: international mining companies are not only watching the country’s investment environment — they are actively engaging with it.

(VIDEO AT THE END OF THE STORY) A disturbing video showing the recovery of a body from an underground mine has renewed calls for stronger safety and emergency preparedness requirements across Zimbabwe’s small-scale mining sector.

The video shows rescuers emerging from an underground operation carrying the deceased in three sacks. As the recovery team reaches the surface, relatives gathered at the mine break down in tears, while one family member moves closer to check on the body.

The emotional scenes highlight the devastating human cost of mining accidents and the difficult conditions under which rescue operations can sometimes be carried out at small-scale mining sites.

Beyond the immediate tragedy, the incident has raised questions about whether small-scale mining operations have adequate equipment and systems to respond when workers become trapped or are injured underground.

Mining is inherently hazardous, but having the right rescue equipment and preparedness in place can make the difference between a recovery operation and a rescue.

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe, the President of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF), which is Zimbabwe’s largest Mining body representing over 1.5 million miners, expressed sadness over the development.

“As ZMF, we are very saddened by this development, and we wish the Government could help by ensuring that such mines are closed immediately until full environmental and human protection takes place to avoid future loss of life,” ZMF President Ms Henrietta Rushwaya said.

She raised concerns that Small-scale miners are often known for taking extraordinary risks underground, sometimes because the pressure to find gold outweighs the fear of what could happen. But she emphasised that being prepared to risk your life is not the same as being prepared to lose it.

“Every miner who goes underground has someone waiting for them, a child, spouse, parent, sibling or friend. When an accident happens, the person who does not come back is not just a miner, they are someone’s loved one. The heartbreaking reality is that gold can be recovered, but a human life cannot. No gold-bearing reef is worth entering an unsupported shaft, working without proper equipment or ignoring dangerous ground conditions,” Rushwaya said.

“There is also a dangerous culture that can develop around mining accidents, the belief that death is simply part of the job. It should not be. Mining can be dangerous, but preventable deaths should never be accepted as normal. We always implore our miners to change the mindset from “I am not afraid to die” to “I have every reason to live.” Courage in mining should mean knowing when conditions are unsafe, using the right equipment and refusing to put yourself and others in unnecessary danger,” Rushwaya continued.

The industry, government, and mining communities all have a role to play. Safety standards must be enforced, rescue equipment must be available, and miners must be properly trained to recognise and respond to underground hazards.

At the end of every shift, the most important thing is not how much gold was recovered. It is whether every miner made it back to their family.

The tragedy captured in the video should therefore serve as a reminder that mine safety cannot end with the issuing of a mining title. Operators must also demonstrate that they are prepared to protect workers when things go wrong.

For Zimbabwe’s growing small-scale mining sector, making basic rescue preparedness a condition of mining permits could be an important step towards strengthening safety standards and protecting lives underground.

• The following video contains scenes of graphic violence and intense situations that some viewers may find disturbing.
• Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
• Not recommended for minors or sensitive audiences.

The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has ordered the immediate suspension of all exports of antimony and tungsten, including ores and concentrates, as Government intensifies its push for in-country value addition and beneficiation, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The directive, issued on 21 July 2026 and addressed to the General Manager of the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), Dr N.J. Moyo, orders the suspension to take effect immediately and remain in force until further notice.

Signed by the Secretary for Mines and Mining Development, Dr Thomas Utete Wushe, the directive covers exports of both minerals in all forms, specifically including ores and concentrates.

“The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development hereby directs the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) to suspend, with immediate effect and until further notice, the export of antimony and tungsten in all forms, including ores and concentrates,” reads the directive.

The Ministry said the decision had been taken in the national interest and was consistent with Government’s policy thrust towards increasing in-country value addition and beneficiation of Zimbabwe’s mineral resources.

“This directive has been issued in the national interest and is consistent with Government’s policy thrust on in-country value addition and beneficiation of Zimbabwe’s mineral resources,” the letter states.

The move represents a significant intervention in the marketing of the two minerals and places an immediate halt on their export through MMCZ pending further notice from the Government.

Zimbabwe has increasingly pursued policies aimed at ensuring the country captures greater value from its mineral resources through local processing and beneficiation rather than relying primarily on exports of unprocessed minerals.

The suspension of antimony and tungsten exports now brings that policy focus directly into two strategically important minerals with applications across industrial manufacturing and advanced technologies.

However, the directive does not specify how long the suspension will remain in place or outline the conditions under which exports could resume.

It also does not, on the face of the directive, provide details on transitional arrangements for existing producers, stockpiles, export contracts or shipments that may already have been scheduled before the order took effect.

The developments are therefore likely to require further clarification from the Ministry and MMCZ, particularly for companies involved in the production and marketing of antimony and tungsten.

For now, the instruction is clear: exports of antimony and tungsten in all forms, including ores and concentrates, have been suspended with immediate effect and until further notice.

The directive is copied to Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura, Deputy Minister Dr Kambamura, Deputy Minister F. Moyo, the Commissioner General of ZIMRA, and the Acting Chief Director for Mining Development, among other officials.

The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe says sustained lobbying and engagement with government has delivered a series of policy gains that are improving the operating environment for mining companies and strengthening Zimbabwe’s case as an investment destination, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Kelvin Sungiso

The industry body used the Africa Down Under conference in Perth to highlight those reforms to international investors, positioning the changes as evidence that government and the private sector can work together to address concerns affecting mining investment.

Speaking on the sidelines of the conference at the Zimbabwe Mining and Energy Symposium, Chamber of Mines President Fungai Makoni said the organisation’s engagement with government had produced tangible results while creating a platform for investors to raise emerging concerns.

Against that backdrop, Makoni urged Australian investors to look beyond Zimbabwe’s mineral potential and engage directly with the local mining industry, saying the Chamber was prepared to help investors navigate policy and operational issues through continued dialogue with government.

“We would like to encourage Australian investors to seriously consider the Zimbabwe mining space and, in so doing, join the Chamber of Mines so that we can assist with emerging issues that may require proactive lobbying and advocacy.

“We want to highlight to potential investors, both foreign and local, that we certainly do have a listening Government that is willing to work with the private sector to improve the investment environment for the mining sector,” he said.

Makoni said the policy gains demonstrated the value of constructive engagement between government and industry, particularly at a time when Zimbabwe is seeking to attract fresh capital, expand mineral production and deepen investment across the mining value chain.

Among the gains highlighted by the Chamber was the recognition of mining royalties as a deductible expense for tax purposes, bringing the fiscal treatment of the cost more closely into line with the economics of mining operations.

The industry also successfully advocated for a competitive, price-linked royalty regime for minerals. According to Makoni, the approach is particularly important for vulnerable subsectors such as gold mining, where movements in international commodity prices can have a direct bearing on margins and project viability.

The push for greater fiscal predictability extends to the treatment of tax losses.

The Chamber secured the retention of the indefinite carryover of tax losses after Treasury had proposed removing the provision from the fiscal regime. For mining companies, where projects can require substantial capital expenditure years before reaching full production, the continuation of the provision provides greater certainty over the treatment of losses generated during the investment phase.

The industry also succeeded in retaining the full deductibility of capital expenditure incurred on exploration, mine development and operations, another area where the Chamber engaged government after proposals were made to alter the existing tax treatment.

That concession is particularly significant for an industry in which billions of dollars can be committed before a project begins generating returns. Maintaining the deductibility of qualifying capital expenditure helps preserve the economics of exploration and the development of new mines.

Beyond taxation, the Chamber pointed to progress in streamlining mining fees and levies under the broader ease-of-doing-business reforms.

Reducing the number of regulatory hurdles and administrative costs is intended to make mining operations more efficient while improving Zimbabwe’s competitiveness against other jurisdictions seeking the same pool of international mining capital.

Foreign exchange has also remained central to the industry’s engagement with government.

The Chamber cited the availability of adequate foreign currency for mining companies to meet operational, capital and dividend requirements as another important outcome of its advocacy.

For mining companies, reliable access to foreign exchange is critical because operations depend heavily on imported machinery, equipment, consumables and technical services. It also affects companies’ ability to fund expansion projects and meet obligations to shareholders and other stakeholders.

Energy has been another key focus of the industry’s engagement.

The Chamber secured the prioritisation of mining companies in the allocation of available electricity by the power utility, recognising the sector’s dependence on reliable power for continuous production.

The issue is particularly important for energy-intensive operations, where interruptions or inadequate supplies can quickly translate into lost production and higher operating costs.

The ferrochrome industry has received more targeted support, with the Chamber’s advocacy contributing to the implementation of a special electricity tariff for ferrochrome producers aligned with international averages.

The measure is aimed at restoring the competitiveness of ferrochrome producers, which have faced mounting pressure from high electricity costs and challenging market conditions.

Investment policy has also featured prominently in the Chamber’s engagement with government.

Makoni pointed to the exemption of existing and operating mining companies from the equity requirements of the Indigenisation Act as another important achievement, while the industry continues to work with government on an acceptable framework for local content and economic empowerment.

The objective is to strike a balance between increasing local participation in mining and maintaining an investment environment capable of attracting and retaining international capital.

That balance is increasingly important as Zimbabwe seeks to move beyond simply extracting minerals and attract investment into processing, beneficiation and other parts of the mining value chain.

The Chamber has also expanded its focus beyond traditional fiscal and regulatory concerns to sustainability.

Makoni said the organisation had developed a voluntary sustainability reporting template that mining companies can adopt and internalise.

The framework gives companies a common basis for reporting environmental, social and governance issues while allowing individual operations to determine how it fits into their existing sustainability programmes.

Taken together, the ten achievements span taxation, royalties, energy, foreign exchange, investment policy, regulation, empowerment and sustainability, reflecting the breadth of issues that can influence an investor’s decision to commit capital to a mining jurisdiction.

For the Chamber, the reforms also demonstrate that policy advocacy can translate into practical changes when government and industry maintain an open channel of communication.

That message was particularly relevant in Perth, where Zimbabwe was seeking to position its mineral wealth alongside improvements in the policy and investment environment.

The country’s mining industry remains a major source of export earnings, fiscal revenue, employment and investment, making the stability of the sector’s operating environment critical to Zimbabwe’s broader economic ambitions.

As the country seeks to attract new capital and expand production, the Chamber’s advocacy points to a broader investment proposition: mineral resources may provide the initial attraction, but the predictability of taxation, access to power and foreign currency, regulatory efficiency and the willingness of government to engage with investors can ultimately determine whether projects move from opportunity to investment.

For Zimbabwe, that policy credibility will be increasingly important as it competes for capital with established mining jurisdictions across Africa and beyond.