Home Blog Page 13

MMCZ Unveils High-Tech Arsenal to Plug Mineral Leakages: Drones, Mobile Labs, and Digital Integration

TEPE
-
0
MMCZ Unveils High-Tech Arsenal to Plug Mineral Leakages: Drones, Mobile Labs, and Digital Integration

The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) is deploying a sophisticated array of technological measures to combat mineral leakages, including drone surveillance systems, mobile laboratories, and an integrated digital platform that will allow miners to conduct business from their homes, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Presenting at the Miners for Economic Development strategic planning workshop in Gweru, MMCZ Sales Executive Memory Phiri outlined the Corporation’s comprehensive strategy to tighten oversight across Zimbabwe’s mineral value chain.

Phiri announced that MMCZ is finalising an integrated enterprise system that will transform how miners interact with regulatory authorities.

“We want to come up with a system where you can just do business from your home, and you can communicate with us,” Phiri told the gathering.

“We are going to integrate with ZIMRA. We are going to integrate with MMCZ. We are also going to integrate with other companies in terms of raising our CD1 and everything. So the system will accommodate those. So you will have a much lower cost.”

This digital integration promises to reduce transaction costs for miners while creating an auditable trail that makes evasion more difficult.

Beyond digital systems, MMCZ is taking to the air to monitor mining activities and export routes.

“In terms of curbing mineral leakages, we have also adopted technologies. Rather than just waiting for inspectors to come in to do the LFO, we have also adopted a drone system. We have also expanded our span of surveillance,” Phiri said.

The drone programme represents a significant upgrade from traditional inspection methods, allowing continuous monitoring of mining areas and transport routes without the delays and limitations of ground-based patrols.

“We used to have problems where MMCZ was not represented at the borders. And we would have, yes, other security agents, ZIMRA and others, but they don’t understand the technical aspect of it all,” Phiri acknowledged.

“But now MMCZ is at the borders with the equipment they use to check whatever the product is. So in terms of leakages, that’s one aspect that we have also tightened.”

With MMCZ geologists and technical staff now stationed at key exit points, shipments can be verified against their declared composition before leaving the country, closing the misdeclaration loophole that smugglers have long exploited.

Phiri revealed that MMCZ plans to deploy mobile laboratories during the period 2026–2033, bringing testing capability directly to mining areas and transport routes.

“Then, during the period of 2026–2033, we intend to have mobile laboratories,” she said.

These mobile units will complement the Corporation’s longer-term plan for a permanent facility.

“Then, as an institution, together with our parent ministry, it is also one of our plans to come up with a state-of-the-art multi-laboratory for the verification of assets. That is all very important.”

The combination of mobile and fixed laboratory capacity will ensure that mineral verification can happen at any point in the value chain, from the mine gate to the border post.

Phiri emphasised that MMCZ is not working in isolation but in continuous collaboration with other state agencies.

“We hold meetings with all state security agents. We are working with them, the ZIMRAs, just to give oversight on the export movement of material. Then we also have a multi-agent approach.”

This coordinated approach ensures that multiple layers of oversight apply to every shipment, reducing the risk that any single point of failure can be exploited.

Beyond enforcement, Phiri noted that MMCZ continues to engage with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development on legislative reforms that advance beneficiation.

“In terms of the promotion of value addition and beneficiation, we continue to engage with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development in advocating for legislative amendments that advance beneficiation and value addition. These efforts will be guided by state developments, benchmarking, and developing food trade with global trade,” she said.

Betterbrands Unveils Exploration Initiative to Give ASM Miners Bankable Resources

TEPE
-
0
Betterbrands Unveils Exploration Initiative to Give ASM Miners Bankable Resources

A transformative initiative to provide artisanal and small-scale miners with professional geological exploration services has been announced, aiming to turn informal claims into bankable resources that can attract investment and support Zimbabwe’s beneficiation agenda, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The announcement comes as Betterbrands Gold prepares for the official opening of its new gold refinery in Bulawayo, with all systems ready for the facility’s inauguration. The refinery represents a significant strategic expansion for the company, transitioning from gold trading to full-scale processing capacity.

Presenting at the Miners for Economic Development strategic planning workshop in Gweru, Betterbrands Gold CEO Fradrick Kunaka outlined plans to deploy a team of geologists to work directly with ASM operators, helping them develop the technical data needed to prove the value of their mining claims.

“We are going to have a team of geologists to do exploration so that miners will have a bankable resource,” Kunaka told the gathering. “We will put it in writing. It will be a full blueprint.”

Kunaka emphasised that the initiative is designed to be grounded in the realities miners face on the ground, drawing on their direct experience to shape practical solutions.

“You are on the ground and you know the challenges. Let us be practical. We are open to progressive ideas so that we will have a framework that will guide us. Any ideas that can be spread at the national level will be good in terms of how things are done,” he said.

The exploration initiative recognises that one of the biggest barriers ASM miners face is the inability to prove the value of their resources to potential investors, lenders, or partners. Without professional geological data, claims remain speculative, limiting access to financing and preventing miners from fully participating in the beneficiation value chain.

Kunaka also addressed the importance of structured membership in ensuring the initiative’s success.

“An association is in a better standing for vetting miners who are local, and they should be members who are local subscribers. A person who cannot subscribe to the association is more likely to default,” he said.

This approach positions miners’ associations as gatekeepers and guarantors, ensuring that those who benefit from the exploration services are committed, compliant members of the formal mining community.

The announcement drew immediate praise from mining stakeholders who have long advocated for professional exploration support.

Phillimon Mokoele, Vice Chairman for Technical Mining at Miners for Economic Development and ZIMSHEC representative, expressed strong support.

“Betterbrands, we have been asking for exploration. We thank you for coming with it,” Mokoele said. “It will make our claims bankable. I have been saying this, and I’m happy the idea is now being put into practice.”

Wilson T. Manase of Manase and Manase Legal Practitioners urged the organisers to move quickly from planning to execution.

“We are asking you to implement it as fast as possible. Can you implement that as soon as possible? Help the miners, and they will support the refinery,” Manase said.

His reference to “support the refinery” highlights the connection between exploration and beneficiation: processing plants need assured feedstock, which depends on miners having proven, bankable resources. Exploration is the foundation upon which the entire beneficiation agenda rests.

The exploration initiative aligns directly with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which explicitly prioritises strengthening geological mapping and mineral resource evaluation as foundations for sustainable mining development.

By bringing professional geological services to the ASM level, the initiative helps operationalise NDS2’s vision of a mining sector that is not only productive but also well-characterised, properly valued, and positioned for long-term growth.

Kunaka’s promise of a “full blueprint” suggests that the initiative will be documented and systematised, creating a model that can be replicated across mining districts.

For ASM miners who have long operated with limited technical support, the prospect of professional exploration services represents a significant step toward formalisation and inclusion in Zimbabwe’s broader mining industrialisation drive.

With geological teams set to be deployed, a framework for member vetting under development, and strong backing from industry leaders, the Betterbrands exploration initiative could mark a turning point for Zimbabwe’s artisanal and small-scale miners—moving them from speculation to certainty, from informal claims to bankable assets, and from the margins to the mainstream of the country’s mining future.

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 13 March 2026

TEPE
-
0
Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 13 March 2026

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 13 March 2026, from the official gold buyer and exporter Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR).

1 oz = 31.1035 g

CategoryPrice ($/g)Price ($/oz)
SG 90% and above154.984,820.22
SG 85% and above but below 90%153.344,769.20
SG 80% and above but below 85%151.704,718.19
SG 75% and above but below 80%150.064,667.18
Sample 5g and above but below 10g147.604,590.67
Fire Assay CASH155.804,845.72

 

Note: The Fire Assay cash price applies to gold above 100g, with no sample deduction.

A sample of not more than 10g is deducted for the Fire Assay Transfer price.

ASM Launch Mining Strategy to Drive Formalisation and Beneficiation

TEPE
-
0
ASM Launch Mining Strategy to Drive Formalisation and Beneficiation

Artisanal and small-scale miners have launched a comprehensive mining strategy aimed at formalising operations, enhancing technical capacity, and positioning the sub-sector to fully participate in Zimbabwe’s beneficiation agenda, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The strategy, unveiled today at a high-level gathering in Gweru and officially opened by Minister of State for Midlands Province Hon Owen “Mudha” Ncube, is designed to align ASM activities with the government’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030 objectives. It focuses on improving safety standards, strengthening environmental compliance, and creating pathways for small-scale miners to transition from extraction to processing.

The strategic planning workshop that produced the new roadmap was convened by the Miners for Economic Development, bringing together mining stakeholders from across the country to chart a course for the sub-sector’s future, supporting Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 of 2026.

In his address declaring the workshop open, Hon Ncube underscored the importance of structured approaches to ASM development.

“This strategic planning workshop should repurpose the Miners for Economic Development strategic plan for 2026–2030 to be fit for purpose in discharging artisanal and small-scale mining operations, as we pursue a high-performance culture that promotes economic growth and competitiveness,” Hon Ncube said.

He highlighted the critical role of ASM in the national economy, noting that the sub-sector now supplies over 60 percent of Zimbabwe’s gold output and significantly impacts rural community livelihoods. The Minister also expressed unwavering support for stability and policy continuity that enable long-term mining investments to flourish.

Speaking at the same event, Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon Eng Fred Moyo described the initiative as a critical step toward bringing order and sustainability to ASM operations.

“This strategy speaks directly to formalisation,” Hon Eng Moyo said. “For too long, the artisanal and small-scale sub-sector has operated in the shadows. This roadmap provides a clear path for miners to regularise their operations, access technical support, and contribute meaningfully to national development.”

The Deputy Minister indicated that he would await the final document before offering detailed commentary but welcomed the initiative as a private sector-led response to the formalisation challenge.

A central pillar of the new strategy is the decentralisation of technical training to mining districts across the country. Recognising that a lack of skills has been a major barrier to ASM growth, the strategy prioritises partnerships with training institutions.

“We cannot process our minerals if we do not have the skills,” one miner involved in the strategy development noted. “This roadmap brings training to our districts, not just to Bulawayo or Harare, but to the communities where mining actually happens.”

The strategy envisions training-of-trainers programmes that create local capacity to impart technical knowledge, reducing the need for miners to travel to urban centres for basic skills development.

The roadmap also addresses the persistent challenges of unsafe working conditions and environmental degradation that have plagued the ASM sub-sector. Hon Ncube emphasised this point in his opening remarks, urging miners to adhere to responsible practices.

“I urge you all to adhere to responsible mining practices, as non-compliance poses challenges of exposure to unsafe working conditions, vandalism of public infrastructure, environmental degradation, and fatal conflicts,” he said.

By promoting responsible mining practices, the strategy aims to reduce accidents, protect water sources, and minimise the ecological footprint of small-scale operations.

The strategy explicitly aligns with the government’s recent decision to ban raw mineral exports, positioning ASM miners to participate in the beneficiation value chain rather than being left behind.

With Zimbabwe now requiring local processing of lithium and other minerals, small-scale miners must find ways to access processing facilities or form cooperatives that can achieve the scale needed for viable beneficiation. The new roadmap explores these options, including potential partnerships with larger mining houses and opportunities to supply feedstock to processing plants under construction.

Participants emphasised that the strategy is intended as a living document, to be refined through implementation and ongoing consultation with miners across the country.

“This is not a document that will sit on a shelf,” Miners for Economic Development Vice Chairman Phillimon Mokoele said. “It is a working roadmap that will guide our activities, our advocacy, and our engagement with government and industry partners over the next five years.”

With the formal launch now complete, the focus shifts to implementation: bringing training to districts, strengthening safety standards, and ensuring that Zimbabwe’s small-scale miners are not just diggers but participants in the country’s industrial future.

Decentralise School of Mines Knowledge to Districts for Beneficiation, Deputy Minister Moyo

TEPE
-
0
Decentralise School of Mines Knowledge to Districts for Beneficiation, Deputy Minister Moyo

The Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Eng Fred Moyo, has called on mining stakeholders to embrace decentralisation as a critical enabler of the country’s beneficiation agenda, urging miners to move knowledge and skills from central institutions to districts across Zimbabwe, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking on Thursday at the Miners for Economic Development high-level strategic meeting in Gweru, Deputy Minister Moyo outlined a vision for capacity building that prioritises technical training at the local level, without necessarily waiting for physical infrastructure.

“Decentralisation is moving knowledge from the School of Mines in Bulawayo to the districts,” Hon Eng Moyo said. “Knowledge comes with the lecturers who come there. So your role is to invite the School of Mines to send either their lecturers frequently or to send their lecturers to go and create sub-lecturers in your districts.”

The Deputy Minister urged miners to take ownership of their own technical development by engaging directly with training institutions.

“If you select a few of you and the School of Mines comes and trains people in your district to the point where they are given certificates to say they can now impart technical skills to others, is the school not decentralising?” he asked.

He emphasised that decentralisation need not wait for the construction of new buildings or campuses.

“Bring the School of Mines to your areas through structures, not through buildings. I want us to think, go and do that.”

Hon Eng Moyo linked the decentralisation imperative directly to the government’s recent decision to suspend raw mineral and lithium concentrate exports, a move designed to force local processing and value addition.

“We’ve just shut down the export of lithium for obvious reasons,” he reminded the gathering of miners from across the country. “Now we must build.”

The connection he drew was clear: beneficiation cannot happen without skills. Processing plants require technicians, metallurgists, and engineers who understand the technology. Those skills, he argued, must be developed at the community level, not concentrated in urban centres.

The Deputy Minister’s remarks point to a fundamental shift in how mining communities engage with technical education. Rather than sending young people away to Bulawayo for training—a model that often results in them not returning to their home districts—the new approach envisions training delivered locally, creating a pool of skilled workers who remain embedded in their communities.

This model aligns with broader government objectives under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which prioritises inclusive growth and ensures that the benefits of mineral extraction extend beyond the mine gate to surrounding communities.

Mr Edmund Dru Kucherera, Vice Chairman of the Miners for Economic Development, welcomed the Deputy Minister’s remarks.

“What the Deputy Minister is saying speaks directly to the challenges our members face,” Kucherera said. “We cannot process our minerals if we do not have the skills. Bringing training to the districts is the only way we will build the technical capacity needed for true beneficiation.”

Co-Vice Chairman for Technical Mining, Mr Phillimon Mokoele, who also serves at ZIMSHEC, noted that his organisation has been working to bridge this gap through partnerships with training institutions.

“ZIMSHEC has already been working with Midlands State University and the Zimbabwe School of Mines to deliver training to small-scale miners,” Mokoele said. “The Deputy Minister’s vision validates that approach and challenges us to scale it up.”

Ruling Party Proposes Bold Vision to Transform Zimbabwe into Global Battery Manufacturing Hub

TEPE
-
0
Ruling Party Proposes Bold Vision to Transform Zimbabwe into Global Battery Manufacturing Hub

Zimbabwe is positioning itself to become a global powerhouse in the green energy revolution, with the ruling party unveiling an ambitious vision to attract battery and electric vehicle manufacturers to the country, ZANU-PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa has revealed.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Mutsvangwa outlined a strategic shift that could see Zimbabwe move from being a mere supplier of raw lithium to a critical node in the global battery value chain—processing minerals all the way to lithium-ion batteries that power the world’s electric vehicles.

“We have an industry which actually shakes the global market. If Zimbabwe says something about lithium, the global markets will explode,” Mutsvangwa declared, pointing to the recent suspension of raw mineral exports, which sent shockwaves through international lithium markets.

A Magnet for Global Giants

Mutsvangwa revealed that Zimbabwe has successfully attracted four out of the world’s top six lithium companies, cementing the country’s status as a critical player in the transition minerals sector.

“It’s also an effort that has invited four out of probably six of the top lithium companies in the world to come to Zimbabwe,” he said.

This concentration of industry leaders positions Zimbabwe uniquely among African nations, not just as a source of raw material, but as a destination for industrial investment.

Protecting Investors Who Commit Locally

In a nuanced analysis of the sector’s dynamics, Mutsvangwa addressed a critical challenge: ensuring that companies which have invested in Zimbabwean processing facilities are not undercut by competitors who would rather process the country’s lithium elsewhere.

“We need to make sure that those companies which have established plants in Zimbabwe are not outcompeted by their peers who will be getting Zimbabwean lithium and processing it elsewhere, at the expense of those investors who are already in the country with their money,” he explained.

This approach reveals a sophisticated industrial strategy: using Zimbabwe’s resource endowment to create a level playing field that rewards investors who commit to local processing, while discouraging those who would prefer to extract raw material and ship it out.

“We are doing our best to make sure that they become more profitable by undercutting their competition with refineries in China instead of refineries in Zimbabwe,” Mutsvangwa said. “This is what we are doing.”

Completing the Value Chain

The ruling party spokesperson outlined a vision that extends far beyond concentrate processing to the full spectrum of battery manufacturing.

“We believe that we will find a way between Zimbabwe and China to develop a healthy path for the processing of lithium all the way to lithium-ion batteries. These are the batteries which power sports cars. Lithium is inside. This is the same battery which powers electric vehicles around the world,” he said.

Mutsvangwa highlighted Zimbabwe’s extraordinary endowment of transition minerals beyond lithium, including copper, nickel, manganese, and graphite, all essential components in battery manufacturing.

“When I was looking at the proximity of all the minerals which are called transition minerals—lithium, copper, nickel, manganese, graphite—that group of minerals is now at the heart of the competition between Europe and China, and between America, China, and Europe.”

Zimbabwe’s Growing Processing Capacity

The ruling party spokesperson pointed to rapidly expanding domestic processing capacity, with multiple plants coming online across the country.

“Very soon, plants in Goromonzi, in Gwanda, and in Kamativi. There’s also Sandawana itself. Another plant is coming up. In fact, it’s a lithium sulphate plant. But there are also the tailings from Kamativi. There is also a need for a lithium processing plant there.”

This proliferation of processing facilities creates opportunities for small-scale miners and local enterprises.

“These young SMEs will be supplying plants in Zimbabwe. Very soon, plants in Sabi Star, in Sandawana, and in Kamativi.”

A Vision for African Industrialisation

Mutsvangwa placed Zimbabwe’s beneficiation drive within the broader context of Africa’s awakening to the value of its mineral wealth.

“President Mnangagwa is actually a leader in terms of the beneficiation of these minerals for the benefit of Africa. We have become conscious about our role on the global stage, the footprint of Africa in these transition minerals.”

He noted that the global mobility revolution—from electric vehicles to e-mobility solutions like motorbikes and tricycles—presents an unprecedented opportunity for Zimbabwe.

“The industry is taking over. Even at the level of mobility—mobiles, motorbikes, tricycles—they are all moving towards mobility powered by electricity and batteries. So Zimbabwe is well-positioned to take advantage of this sector to drive prosperity by ensuring that batteries are not just imported but manufactured within Zimbabwe.”

Engaging Global Powers

Mutsvangwa revealed that Zimbabwe is now engaging in resource diplomacy with major powers, including the United States, recognising that transition minerals have become central to global economic competition.

“It is now engaging in diplomacy with America. For the first time, we realise the importance of our mineral endowment because we have become conscious about our role on the global stage.”

The Path Forward: Scale and Partnership

Acknowledging the capital-intensive nature of battery manufacturing, Mutsvangwa called for continued partnership with major investors while creating opportunities for local participation.

“It’s a capital-heavy industry. You need to invest at a big scale. Remember, you are a manufacturer with global standards. So the best way is for Zimbabwe to grow together, to entice big investors so that our lithium industry can become bigger than what it is right now. In the process, we don’t need to export raw lithium. These young SMEs will be supplying plants in Zimbabwe.

Antimony uses, pricing and areas mined in Zimbabwe

TEPE
-
0
Antimony uses, pricing and areas mined in Zimbabwe

Antimony is a strategic mineral used in several industrial and high-technology applications because of its flame-retardant, alloy-strengthening, and semiconductor properties.

Below are the main uses of Antimony:

1. 🔥 Flame Retardants (Largest Use – ~50–60%)

Antimony is mainly used as antimony trioxide, a compound added to materials to reduce flammability.

Common applications:

  • Plastics
  • Textiles
  • Electronics casings
  • Building materials
  • Cable insulation

It works with halogen compounds to slow or stop the spread of fire.

2. 🔋 Lead-Acid Batteries

Antimony is alloyed with lead to make battery plates stronger and more durable.

Used in:

  • Automotive batteries
  • Industrial batteries
  • Backup power systems

The antimony improves the hardness and corrosion resistance of the lead plates.

3. 🏗️ Metal Alloys

Antimony strengthens soft metals such as lead and tin.

Applications include:

  • Bearings
  • Solder
  • Pipes
  • Sheet metal
  • Ammunition components

Small amounts significantly increase hardness and mechanical strength.

4. ⚡ Semiconductors and Electronics

Antimony is used in certain semiconductor materials and electronic components.

Examples:

  • Infrared detectors
  • Diodes
  • Thermoelectric devices

It improves electrical conductivity and thermal properties.

5. 🧴 Glass and Ceramics

Antimony compounds help:

  • Remove bubbles from glass
  • Improve glass clarity
  • Add color to ceramic glazes

It is used in high-quality glass manufacturing.

6. 🪖 Military and Strategic Uses

Antimony is considered a critical mineral because it is used in:

  • Ammunition primers
  • Military alloys
  • Flame-resistant materials
  • Night vision and infrared technology

7. 🎨 Pigments and Paints

Antimony compounds are used in pigments for:

  • Paint
  • Plastics
  • Rubber

They produce bright yellow and orange colours.

Why antimony matters globally

Because of its role in defence, batteries, and flame retardants, antimony is classified as a strategic or critical mineral by countries like the United States Geological Survey and the European Commission.

Price of Antimony

  • Antimony Metal (99.85% purity): Approximately $10,000 – $12,500 per metric ton on the spot market (this reflects typical recent rates, though exact quotes vary by supplier, quantity, and contract terms)

  • Antimony Trioxide (99.5% FOB China): Market quotations exist, but specific today’s price generally requires subscription access — Shanghai Metals Market tracks these (exact figures not publicly viewable without login)

  • Market Averages late 2025: Data from Metal.com shows antimony ingot pricing around ~$20,000‑$21,000/tonne (end‑of‑year US spot) with similar ranges in Europe depending on grade and form.

📈 Historical Price Context

  • Prices surged sharply in 2024–2025 amid supply restrictions from major producers like China, hitting peaks in some markets of $40,000–$60,000/tonne for antimony products — especially outside China, where shortages were most acute.

  • Average antimony prices in 2025 were around $25/lb (≈ $55,000/ton) before moderating later in the year.

  • After the peak, prices retreated as downstream demand eased and some supply opportunities emerged.

What Influences Antimony Prices

  • Global supply concentration: ~80–90% of output comes from China and a handful of other producers, so export controls or policy shifts strongly affect pricing.

  • Trade & geopolitics: Export bans and restrictions (especially from China to key markets) in 2024–2025 drove major price volatility and spikes.

  • Purity & form: High‑purity metal, compounds (like trioxide), and specialised grades command significant premiums over standard industrial material.

Areas Antimony is Mined in Zimbabwe

In Zimbabwe, Antimony is mined in Kwekwe, Bubi, Mberengwa, Kadoma, and Shurugwi

AMSZ pushes adoption of digital data and modelling to improve mine planning and safety

TEPE
-
0
AMSZ pushes adoption of digital data and modelling to improve mine planning and safety

The Association of Mine Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ) says modern digital tools are central to improving mining operations and safety, following insights shared at the ongoing Datamine Zimbabwe conference and workshop, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

The conference, themed “Building Confidence in Mining Decisions through Integrated Data and Technology,” explored topics such as accurate data collection, digital modelling, and real-time reporting that will also feature prominently during the AMSZ Q1/2026 Technical Visit later this month.

The workshop brought together mining professionals from across the sector to discuss how digital technologies can enhance mine planning, resource management, and operational efficiency. The sessions were particularly relevant for small-scale and surface mining operations, which have traditionally relied on paper-based methods that limit planning accuracy and increase operational risks.

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe on the sidelines of the event, Stewart Gumbi, President of the AMSZ, highlighted the growing importance of digital tools in modern mining.

“One of our key takeaways is how critical accurate data and digital modelling have become for modern mining operations. For mining surveyors, tools like integrated 3D geological models and real-time spatial data platforms are no longer optional—they are central to improving mine planning, monitoring, and safety underground. These tools help surveyors transform raw survey data into actionable insights for mine planning, production monitoring, and reconciliation,” Gumbi said.

He added that these technologies allow surveyors to take precise measurements, anticipate operational risks, and collaborate effectively with engineers, geologists, and other professionals on site. “This doesn’t just enhance efficiency; it reduces errors that can be costly or even dangerous,” he said.

The workshop strengthened mine surveyors’ ability to deliver accurate data, integrated workflows, and technology-driven insights, which are essential for better planning, improved operational efficiency, and more confident mining decisions.

It underscored how data-driven practices can improve mine designs, optimise extraction sequences, and improve monitoring, thus ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards—practical steps that surveyors can implement to make operations safer, more productive, and better managed.

Building on these lessons, the AMSZ Q1/2026 Technical Visit to Dallaglio Mining’s Pickstone-Peerless Gold Mine on 27 March 2026 will give members hands-on experience with these practices in a real-world setting.

Participants will explore survey methodologies, digital technologies, safety protocols, data management systems, and training programmes, while also receiving professional updates from the government and the AMSZ and earning Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits.

By observing operations at one of Zimbabwe’s leading gold mining companies, members will gain firsthand insight into modern surveying practices in action.

The visit is expected to foster technical engagement and knowledge sharing among surveyors and industry stakeholders, strengthen professional capacity, and encourage the adoption of global best practices, supporting safer and more efficient mining operations across the sector.

Mineral Beneficiation Critical to Sustaining Zimbabwe’s Trade Surplus

TEPE
-
0
Mineral Beneficiation Critical to Sustaining Zimbabwe’s Trade Surplus

Zimbabwe’s mining sector remains central to the country’s improving trade position after the economy recorded a fourth consecutive monthly trade surplus in January 2026, with mineral exports led by gold helping push export earnings ahead of imports, Mining Zimbabwe reports.

By Ryan Chigoche

According to official data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT), the country recorded export earnings of US$969 million against imports of US$856 million, resulting in a trade surplus of about US$114 million for the month.

The development represents a shift from the persistent trade deficits that have characterised Zimbabwe’s external trade position for much of the past decade.

Local industry lobby group Buy Zimbabwe welcomed the milestone, noting that a stronger export performance helps improve foreign currency inflows, strengthens fiscal revenues through mining royalties and taxes, and supports broader economic stability.

However, analysts say the recent surplus streak still depends heavily on a limited number of export drivers, particularly gold from the mining sector and tobacco from agriculture, which raises questions about long-term sustainability.

Mineral exports have played a significant role in Zimbabwe’s recent trade gains.

Semi-manufactured products, mainly gold, accounted for around half of the total export value, reflecting both favourable international prices and steady output from the country’s gold mining industry.

Mining, together with agriculture, continues to underpin Zimbabwe’s export performance, with the two sectors providing most of the foreign currency inflows that have supported the current run of trade surpluses.

High global gold prices have therefore strengthened the contribution of the mining sector to national export earnings.

Despite the positive trade balance, underlying figures show that Zimbabwe’s import bill has continued to grow in recent years.

Between 2021 and 2025, exports increased from US$6.06 billion to US$9.71 billion, while imports rose from US$7.37 billion to US$10.11 billion, indicating that imports have expanded faster than export earnings in absolute terms.

Energy products, fertilisers and food commodities remain among the largest contributors to the import bill.

This situation highlights a structural challenge in Zimbabwe’s economy. While the country earns foreign currency from mining exports, a significant portion of that revenue is used to finance imports of key inputs such as fuel, agricultural products, and industrial supplies.

Analysts say one of the most significant opportunities to strengthen Zimbabwe’s trade position lies in expanding mineral beneficiation and value addition.

Although gold accounts for the bulk of export receipts, much of it still leaves the country in semi-processed form rather than as fully refined or finished products. Expanding local processing and refining capacity along the mineral value chain could increase export value and retain more revenue within the domestic economy.

Beyond gold, Zimbabwe’s wider mineral industry, including platinum group metals, lithium, chrome, and nickel, also offers scope to boost export earnings through local beneficiation.

Sustaining a stronger trade surplus will depend on widening the export base, deepening mineral beneficiation, and strengthening domestic production capacity. Ensuring that mining growth is linked to local processing and industrial development will be key to turning short-term trade gains into longer-term economic resilience.

Strategic mineral prices today – 12 March 2026

TEPE
-
0
Strategic mineral prices today – 12 March 2026

Latest benchmark mineral prices compiled from global commodity market indicators.

(Chrome, Lithium, Copper, Nickel, Coal, Platinum & Palladium Market Update)

Mineral / ProductLatest Price Range (USD)📈 Price Trend🌍 Key Demand Market
Chrome Concentrate (40–42% Cr, CIF China)$300 – $315 / t⬆ UpStainless Steel / China
Lithium Carbonate (Battery Grade)$10,200 – $14,800 / t⬇ DownEV & Battery Sector
Lithium Hydroxide (Battery Grade)$9,800 – $14,200 / t⬇ DownEV Batteries
Spodumene Concentrate (6% Li₂O)$880 – $1,050 / t➡ StableChina Lithium Refineries
Antimony (Refined) 99% to 99.9%$14,500 – $16,500 / t⬆ UpElectronics / Alloys
Copper (LME)$9,750 – $10,650 / t⬆ UpConstruction / Power
Nickel (LME)$14,600 – $17,200 / t⬇ DownStainless Steel / Batteries
Thermal Coal (Newcastle)$122 – $152 / t⬆ UpPower Generation
Platinum (Spot)$900 – $1,030 / oz⬆ UpAuto Catalysts
Palladium (Spot)$950 – $1,110 / oz➡ StableAuto Catalysts

 

Global chrome prices are firming above $300/t, supported by stronger ferrochrome demand from China’s stainless steel sector. Zimbabwe, one of the world’s leading chrome producers, continues to benefit from steady Chinese demand for metallurgical-grade chrome concentrate.

Meanwhile, lithium prices remain under pressure due to global oversupply despite strong long-term demand from electric vehicles and battery storage markets. Analysts note that increased lithium production globally has weighed on prices since the 2022 peak.

Copper prices remain strong near the $10,000/t level on the London Metal Exchange, driven by demand from renewable energy, electrification, and global infrastructure investment.

In the energy sector, thermal coal prices are trending upward as global electricity demand increases, while platinum group metals (PGMs) such as platinum and palladium are stabilising as supply constraints and automotive catalyst demand support the market.

1...121314...691Page 13 of 691