Mining ZimbabweLatest Mining News, Policy and Industry Updates

ZIMBABWE’S gold beneficiation drive is gaining momentum, with Fidelity Gold Refinery positioning itself as a catalyst for transforming the country’s gold sector from a raw mineral exporter to a competitive regional precious metals manufacturing hub, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Fidelity General Manager Peter Magaramombe told delegates at the Mine Entra Beneficiation and Value Addition Symposium that the refinery has taken significant strides in ensuring Zimbabwe exports value rather than raw mineral wealth.

“All gold that is delivered to the national gold refinery is refined from a minimum of 99.5% to a maximum of 99.99% purity, meeting internationally recognised standards,” Magaramombe said.

Integration with Jewellery Manufacturing

Magaramombe announced that, from August 2026, Fidelity will actively participate in jewellery manufacturing through its value addition division, OREX Private Limited, which serves as its jewellery manufacturing arm.

“This integration connects refining directly with downstream manufacturing, enabling the production of both handmade and machine-made jewellery,” he said, emphasising that the company’s success would now be measured “not only by gold refined but by jewellery produced, local jobs supported, domestic sales and value-added exports.”

Key highlights of the OREX facility include the capacity to export up to 3 tonnes of gold jewellery annually, with a monthly manufacturing capacity of approximately 140 kilogrammes.

Silver for Local Jewellers

In a move designed to strengthen Zimbabwe’s domestic jewellery value chain, Magaramombe revealed that silver recovered during the gold refining process is reserved for the local market.

“Silver recovered during the gold refining process is reserved for the local market, supporting local jewellers and strengthening Zimbabwe’s domestic jewellery value chain,” he said.

Formalisation and Enforcement

The Fidelity boss also highlighted the company’s ongoing efforts to formalise the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, which accounts for over 70% of gold deliveries.

“We need to formalise the artisanal and small-scale miners so that every day we know exactly where we are, where the gold is coming from and where it is going,” Magaramombe has previously stated.

To combat gold smuggling—which authorities estimate costs Zimbabwe close to US$2 billion annually—Fidelity launched the Gold Trade Enforcement Unit in 2025, comprising Fidelity staff and Zimbabwe Republic Police officers.

US$5.85 Billion Gold Export Target

Fidelity has revised its annual gold delivery forecast, expecting 45 tonnes by the end of 2025, translating to gold exports worth approximately US$5.85 billion at current prices of US$4,051.61 per ounce.

Looking ahead, the company projects deliveries of 50 tonnes in 2026, representing an 11% increase over the 45 tonnes expected in 2025, assuming an average gold price of US$4,600 per ounce.

“The future of our gold sector will be defined not by the ounces we mine, but by the value we create from them. Every ounce of gold should generate jobs, investment, industrial growth, exports and lasting prosperity for our people,” Magaramombe said.

BULAWAYO – Zimbabwe’s ambition to transform its vast mineral wealth into a manufacturing-led industrial economy will hinge on its ability to attract long-term investment, with Mines and Mining Development Minister Polite Kambamura arguing that “patient capital” is the missing ingredient in the country’s beneficiation strategy, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

Speaking at the Mine Entra 2026 Beneficiation Symposium, Kambamura said Zimbabwe must move beyond exporting raw minerals and instead build industries that process them into higher-value products, a transition he said requires investors prepared to finance projects over longer time horizons.

“Patient capital must provide the foundation for this transformation,” he said.

The emphasis on long-term financing comes as Zimbabwe intensifies its beneficiation agenda under Kambamura’s leadership. Since assuming office, the minister has consistently placed value addition at the centre of government mining policy, arguing that the country’s mineral wealth should underpin broader industrial development rather than continue generating export earnings primarily from raw or semi-processed minerals.

Mining remains Zimbabwe’s largest export sector, accounting for the bulk of the country’s foreign currency earnings. Yet much of that value is still derived from minerals exported with limited downstream processing, leaving significant economic value to be captured outside the country.

Kambamura’s latest remarks shift the beneficiation debate beyond the policy objective itself to the question of how industrialisation will be financed. Unlike mining projects, which can generate relatively quick returns, downstream processing plants and manufacturing facilities typically require larger upfront investments and longer repayment periods, making access to patient capital essential.

“Zimbabwe must cease to be known principally as a source of mineral deposits. It must be known as a source of metals, chemicals, components, equipment, technology and finished industrial products,” he said.

The minister said the government is seeking to position mining as the foundation of a broader industrial economy by promoting investments that expand domestic manufacturing capacity alongside mineral production.

He said beneficiation would enable Zimbabwe to capture greater value from its mineral resources, diversify exports, create skilled employment and strengthen linkages between mining and other productive sectors of the economy.

Kambamura added that the strategy is intended to position Zimbabwe as a supplier of higher-value mineral products to regional markets through the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Alongside financing, the minister identified technology transfer and industrial infrastructure as critical enablers of beneficiation, saying the government wants investment that builds local productive capacity rather than simply increases mineral extraction.

Realising that ambition, however, will require more than capital alone.

While Zimbabwe possesses some of the world’s largest deposits of platinum, lithium, chrome and other strategic minerals, investors have frequently cited policy uncertainty, foreign exchange constraints, electricity shortages and infrastructure bottlenecks as key obstacles to committing long-term capital. Industry executives have also argued that competitive power tariffs, predictable regulation and improved logistics will be just as important as financing if beneficiation projects are to remain commercially viable.

The financing challenge is substantial. The Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe estimates the mining industry requires approximately US$10 billion in new investment over the next five years to expand production and develop new projects, with significant additional capital likely to be needed to establish downstream processing and manufacturing industries.

Kambamura said the government and industry must therefore work together to attract the investment, technology and industrial expertise needed to build competitive value-added industries.

“Let us transform our mineral resources through technology,” he said. “That is the transformation we seek. That is the prosperity of our mineral resource base, and that is the future we must now build together.”

Whether Zimbabwe succeeds in turning its mineral wealth into an industrial base will ultimately depend not only on its resource endowment but also on its ability to create the stable investment environment needed to attract the long-term capital that beneficiation demands.

A senior executive at Namib Minerals has launched a blistering attack on corrupt practices in the mining industry procurement chain, challenging buyers and suppliers to consider the legacy of their decisions on Zimbabwe’s future, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Mr E. Chivanga, speaking on behalf of Namib Minerals, which operates How Mine near Bulawayo, delivered a frank assessment of miner-supplier relations while announcing major expansion projects and the group’s recent Nasdaq listing.

Mr Chivanga said miner-supplier relationships must be “forged on respect for each other,” acknowledging that the current gold boom has made engagement difficult.

“I heard some say it is difficult to engage miners. It was like you are asking for permission to see a president,” he observed. “It is just natural that when someone is holding money, and you want that money, you also need to try and become humble.”

He acknowledged the financial strain suppliers face, admitting that payment terms often extend beyond the standard 90 days to 120 days.

“You guys are very important, and we cannot look down upon that,” he said.

Nasdaq Listing and Major Projects

Mr Chivanga announced that Namib Minerals has recently listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, a development that makes quality standards “non-negotiable.”

“We are self-conscious. We can kill people if we do not have quality items,” he stated, calling on suppliers to adhere to international quality standards.

He also revealed significant expansion plans, including the commissioning of a major project in August and three larger mines in October. The company recently deployed a 600-tonne crane — one of the largest in the country — from Motor Port Shafts to support its operations.

“These are positives, which we would also invite our suppliers to say, you are important, you are strategic to our operation, we need you to come,” he said. “Do not worry about the red chips, we will try to infuse them to come and see us.”

Technology Gap Warning

The executive identified a significant technology gap between Zimbabwean suppliers and global standards.

“I appeal to our suppliers that sometimes we take the role of our suppliers in trying to bridge the gap between what we are supplying and what the industry requires. We are way, way behind in terms of technology,” he warned.

He urged suppliers to “invest in global source engagement, go around, go to other countries, try to check and invest in new technology so that we have proper solutions as far as our mining is concerned.”

Anti-Corruption Challenge

In a passionate closing message, Mr Chivanga cautioned against corrupt practices that undermine the industry’s potential.

“Greed and selfishness. This has got a huge impact on our operations,” he said. “Let us desist from corrupt activities as mining people, which are the mining houses and also suppliers, please. You must not corrupt our people.”

He addressed procurement officers directly:

“Everyone who is a mining buyer in a mining house, your signature has got only two possible outcomes. It is either you are killing your country or you are making your country go far.”

He concluded with a reflective challenge:

“Fifty years from now, where will you be? A country where you will sign your signature. Twenty years signing a signature to kill your country. What is your signature doing to your country?”

Industry and Commerce Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu has challenged the mining industry to reverse the US$2.5 billion import bill on manufactured goods, describing the current 85% procurement leakage as a “huge opportunity” for industrialisation and job creation, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

US$30 Billion Opportunity

Addressing delegates at the Mine Entra Suppliers and Energy Symposium in Bulawayo, Minister Ndhlovu emphasised that local content must move beyond rhetoric to tangible action if Zimbabwe is to achieve its Vision 2030 of becoming an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income economy.

Citing economic data showing the manufacturing sector contributing 16.8% to GDP and mining approximately 16%, Minister Ndhlovu projected a combined US$30 billion opportunity if the two sectors forged stronger linkages.

“Currently, we are still around US$16-17 billion combined,” he stated. “A US$30 billion opportunity is a combination of strategic economic synergies that we need to forge together, which we view as an accelerator to Vision 2030.”

The Procurement Challenge

The Minister highlighted that mining industry procurement stands at approximately US$3.4 billion annually, with only about US$410 million being spent on locally manufactured products. This means 85% of the value is leaking to foreign economies.

“For me, this is a huge opportunity because 85% is going somewhere. It’s creating employment opportunities elsewhere,” Ndhlovu said. “Economies there are investing in advanced technologies, and we are importing those technologies. I’m not too sure if we’re investing enough in upgrading those technologies.”

Citing President Mnangagwa’s recent call, he noted that Zimbabwe spends US$2.5 billion on imported manufactured products that could be produced locally.

“Why would we spend so much money outside the country, exporting jobs, exporting technologies, and opportunities in areas where we have the capacity to produce locally?” he questioned.

Digital Platform to Connect Buyers and Suppliers

To address the visibility gap preventing local procurement, Minister Ndhlovu announced that the Ministry, in partnership with Buy Zimbabwe, has developed a digital platform to list locally manufactured products.

“This platform will be available to those who want to procure, to know what products are available, where, who is selling what, and at what price,” he explained. “As that product comes into your production processes, into your mine, if you are buying higher local content thresholds, it also automatically upgrades your local content as a company.”

He added that discussions with Treasury are ongoing to establish appropriate incentives for companies supporting local production.

New Industrial Policy Underway

The Minister revealed that a comprehensive Industrial Development Policy will be launched by President Mnangagwa next Wednesday. The policy features a dedicated pillar on mines and mineral beneficiation, representing what he described as “the first time in a long time we have an industrial development policy that is very elaborate in the linkages between the mining sector and the manufacturing sector.”

Green Energy Transition and Policy Blind Spots

Turning to global shifts, Ndhlovu noted that geopolitical changes—particularly the US leadership transition—have affected the platinum group metals sector by reversing aggressive electric vehicle policies that had hurt catalytic converter demand. He urged Zimbabwe to invest in “industries of the future” rather than passively waiting for global trends.

The Minister also flagged policy blind spots, citing a manufacturer’s concern that importing steel sheets attracts duty, while importing complete hammer mills is duty-free.

“These are blind spots. When we put policies, some of these areas get missed, and we need to have these conversations going forward,” he said.

Zimbabwe’s mining industry is expected to increase its electricity demand to more than 1,500 megawatts (MW) within the next 12 months as companies expand production and invest in mineral processing facilities, placing energy security at the centre of the sector’s growth ambitions, the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe has said.

By Ryan Chigoche

The projected increase represents a 50% rise from current mining consumption levels and comes as the sector moves beyond mineral extraction towards beneficiation and value addition, activities that require significantly more electricity.

The development raises questions over whether Zimbabwe’s power infrastructure can keep pace with an expanding mining industry that is targeting higher production and greater local processing.

Speaking at the Mining Industry Suppliers, Energy and Infrastructure Forum at Mine Entra 2026, Chamber of Mines Chief Executive Officer Isaac Kwesu said the mining sector currently consumes approximately 1,000MW of electricity, accounting for more than half of Zimbabwe’s domestic power generation.

“The industry currently consumes approximately 1,000 megawatts. That is more than half of what is produced locally as electricity. However, with the ongoing expansion activities and new beneficiation facilities, the energy demand is set to surge to more than 1,500 megawatts in the next 12 months,” Kwesu said.

Zimbabwe has expanded its installed generation capacity following the addition of Hwange Units 7 and 8, but available dependable capacity remains constrained by technical limitations, ageing infrastructure, and operational challenges.

The country’s installed generation capacity is estimated at about 2,640MW, while dependable capacity has generally ranged between 1,200MW and 1,600MW, according to the National Energy Compact.

The Ministry of Energy has also previously indicated that average electricity supply capacity was between 1,200MW and 1,400MW, against peak demand of around 1,800MW, highlighting the gap that has historically required imports, demand management, and alternative energy solutions.

The expected rise in mining demand comes as companies invest in expanding output across key minerals, including gold, platinum group metals, lithium, and chrome, while the government pushes for greater domestic processing of mineral resources.

Beneficiation projects are particularly energy-intensive, meaning the success of Zimbabwe’s value addition ambitions will depend not only on mineral availability but also on reliable and affordable electricity supply.

Energy availability has increasingly become a key consideration for mining investors, alongside geological potential, infrastructure, and policy stability. Some mining companies have responded by investing in captive power solutions, including solar projects, to reduce reliance on the national grid and improve operational security.

Kwesu said investment in supporting infrastructure would be critical to ensuring the mining sector remains competitive as it enters its next phase of expansion.

“Investment in these strategic areas will enhance productivity, improve competitiveness, and create an environment where local businesses will thrive,” he said.

Zimbabwe’s mining sector remains the country’s largest source of export earnings, with billions of dollars in expansion projects planned across the industry. However, as miners move towards processing more minerals locally, the availability of electricity is set to become one of the biggest factors determining whether the sector can translate resource wealth into sustained industrial growth.

For Zimbabwe’s mining ambitions, the next major competition may not only be for minerals, but for megawatts.

Zimbabwe’s banking sector has unveiled a financing blueprint it believes can mobilise the US$10 billion needed to expand the country’s mining industry over the next five years, with syndicated corporate lending expected to provide nearly half of the capital required to develop new projects and expand existing operations, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

The proposal comes as the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe estimates the industry will require about US$10 billion in fresh investment over the next five years to sustain production growth, develop new mines, and expand existing operations, underscoring the scale of the financing challenge facing one of the country’s largest export sectors.

Speaking on the first day of the Mine Entra 2026 Suppliers, Energy and Infrastructure Symposium, CBZ Holdings Divisional Director for Corporate Banking, Lawrence Nyazema, said banks were reshaping their approach to mining finance through a mix of corporate lending, equipment finance, trade finance, and supplier finance, with corporate loans expected to anchor the strategy.

“I go back to the US$10 billion challenge and try to answer the question: Where is the funding going to come from in the next five years? We believe that US$4 billion to US$5 billion will come from corporate lending,” he said.

Nyazema argued that Zimbabwe’s banking sector had already shown it could structure financing on a scale previously considered beyond the reach of local lenders.

He pointed to the recently concluded US$125 million syndicated facility for Mutapa Gold Resources, arranged by eight domestic banks, as evidence that financial institutions were increasingly willing to pool capital to fund large mining investments.

The transaction, involving CBZ Bank, Ecobank Zimbabwe, CABS, ZB Bank, NMB Bank, FBC Bank, First Capital Bank, and AFC Commercial Bank, is being viewed as a template for future syndicated mining finance deals.

That momentum, Nyazema said, is expected to continue.

“The same group of financial institutions is targeting the close of another US$150 million syndicated financing facility by the end of August for a new gold mining project, while similar funding structures are also being explored for a platinum development.”

Even so, he acknowledged that domestic banks alone cannot meet the industry’s financing needs.

With total banking sector deposits standing at around US$6 billion, Nyazema said partnerships with regional and international development finance institutions would remain critical to mobilising long-term capital for mining projects.

“I’ve already said total deposits are about US$6 billion. I would want to take this opportunity to thank and applaud the support that we get from our regional financial partners, the likes of Afreximbank, AFC, and Standard Bank. Our all-weather financial partners will come to the party, but we have to make sure that our projects are creditworthy and bankable,” he said.

Nyazema said the financing model extends beyond corporate lending.

Equipment finance, where mining machinery serves as loan collateral, could contribute between US$1 billion and US$2 billion, while trade finance could unlock a further US$2 billion to support the importation of equipment, consumables, and other operational inputs.

He also identified supplier finance as a key pillar of the strategy, estimating that around US$1 billion could be directed towards manufacturers, contractors, and service providers supplying the mining industry, helping them access the working capital needed to execute mining contracts.

“This is the US$1 billion that will be set aside for you to carry out your activities,” he said.

Taken together, the proposed financing streams could mobilise between US$8 billion and US$10 billion, bringing the Chamber’s investment target within reach through a combination of domestic lending, structured finance, and support from development finance institutions.

The strategy marks a broader shift in Zimbabwe’s banking sector towards syndicated lending, allowing financial institutions to share risk while financing increasingly capital-intensive mining projects. For an industry constrained by limited access to affordable long-term offshore capital, the focus is increasingly shifting from identifying the funding requirement to assembling the financial structures needed to meet it.

“I truly believe that the giant has woken up. I am of the view that the financial services sector has finally started to play its role,” Nyazema said.

MINING houses in Zimbabwe are facing a more than 10 percent increase in operating costs, driven by global inflation in fuel, steel, and reagents, as geopolitical conflicts continue to disrupt supply chains, a senior procurement executive has revealed.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Mr Ali Nyirenda, Group Procurement Executive at Mutapa Gold Resources, told delegates at the Mine Entra Suppliers and Energy Symposium in Bulawayo that the mining industry was grappling with mounting structural, financial, and regulatory pressures that were eroding profitability.

Forex Constraints Force 100% Upfront Payments

Mr Nyirenda said foreign suppliers were demanding 100 percent upfront payments due to perceived currency instability, foreign currency shortages, and delayed payments through the auction system.

“Because of imports, the global inflation in fuel, steel, reagents, and freight impacts our businesses significantly. Of late, I am talking about more than 10 percent increases in our costs because of that inflation due to geopolitical wars,” he said.

He said the perceived weakness of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency had led to reduced credit terms and longer lead times, as suppliers insisted on full payment before shipping critical inputs.

“The perceived US dollar and ZiG opportunity, I am saying perceived because that is what our foreign suppliers perceive, the shortage of foreign currency and the delayed payments by the RBZ actually lead to foreign suppliers requesting upfront payments,” Mr Nyirenda said.

Supply Chain Disruptions Bite

The executive said geopolitical tensions, particularly conflicts in the Gulf region, had severely affected lead times and costs for critical mining inputs.

“Believe me or not, a mine cannot run without critical elements such as explosives, process reagents, grinding media, and critical equipment components,” he said.

The impact, he said, included elevated stock-outs, high inventory holding costs, and unplanned production downtimes.

Policy Complexity, Local Capacity Gaps

Mr Nyirenda acknowledged that policy complexity remained a challenge, though he welcomed Government efforts to improve the ease of doing business.

He cited frequent changes in import-limit regimes, shifting ZIMRA duty classifications, and export retention rules as issues that had caused border delays, added costs, and increased compliance burdens.

On local content, he noted that while progress had been made, few manufacturing companies could meet mining industry specifications.

“There are certain requirements that they need upfront. Things like certification. Yes, it is a mandate. We will not run away from it because, for us to access our markets, there is that requirement of certification in terms of quality,” he said.

Infrastructure Woes: Sandawana, Jena Roads

Mr Nyirenda revealed that Mutapa Gold Resources was taking direct action to address poor road access to its operations, announcing the construction of a new all-weather road to Sandawana Mine starting in August.

“Our Sandawana Mine — that road is actually a 52-kilometre road that is very difficult to use. So what we have done is we are actually constructing a new road starting on the 1st of August. That will be a tarred, all-weather road, not a substandard road,” he said.

He added that the company was also in negotiations to rehabilitate the road to Jena Mine.

“We do not want long transit times. After a long transit, people can take advantage of it if a truck breaks down along the way,” he said.

Call for Policy Stability

Mr Nyirenda called for policy stability, the allocation of funds to support local supply development, and the leveraging of consolidated volumes to reduce costs.

“We need reliable savings. We need the allocation of our funds to deliver local supply development. That is the talk of the day — leverage consolidated volumes, policy stability, and also look at other delivery corridors because of the congestion that is happening,” he said.

Mutapa Gold Resources is Zimbabwe’s largest gold producer and recently secured a US$125 million syndicated loan from local financial institutions to expand production at Shamva and Jena mines, with the potential to generate up to US$1 billion annually in mining revenue.

MUTAPA Gold Resources Procurement Executive, Mr Ali Nyirenda, has revealed an ambitious infrastructure development programme spanning multiple operations, as the State-owned mining conglomerate moves to address one of the sector’s most persistent bottlenecks: poor road access, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking at the Mine Entra Suppliers and Energy Symposium in Bulawayo, Mr Nyirenda, who serves as a shared procurement resource across Mutapa Gold Resources and Mutapa Energy, disclosed that the group is actively engaged in road construction and rehabilitation projects at Sandawana, Jena, and along the critical Kwekwe-Silobela highway.

Sandawana Road: 52km All-Weather Route

Mr Nyirenda confirmed that construction of a new tarred, all-weather road to Sandawana Mine in Mberengwa will commence on 1 August. The 52-kilometre stretch has historically become impassable during the rainy season, severely hampering operations.

“Our Sandawana Mine, that road is actually a 52-kilometre road that is very difficult to use. So what we have done is we are actually constructing a new road starting on the 1st of August. That will be a tarred, all-weather road, not a substandard road,” he said.

The investment comes as Mutapa Energy recently certified a 39.9-million-tonne lithium resource at Sandawana, following an 11-month drilling programme covering 103,000 metres at a cost of US$24 million. The company has already mined about two million tonnes of ore and is constructing a three-million-tonne-per-year concentrator plant. Supporting infrastructure already includes the relocation of 104 families and the development of a school and clinic.

The road project directly responds to concerns raised by Mberengwa villagers last year, who had urged the mine to repair gravel roads being damaged by more than 40 heavy trucks carrying lithium ore daily. Local leaders had warned that ambulances could no longer respond to emergencies because the roads were “hardly usable”.

Kwekwe-Silobela Highway: Government Partnership

Mr Nyirenda also confirmed that Mutapa is in negotiations to rehabilitate the highway from Kwekwe to Silobela, a critical artery that has long been a source of frustration for motorists and businesses.

The Kwekwe-Nkayi-Lupane Road is considered strategic, as it reduces the distance from Kwekwe to Victoria Falls by approximately 100 kilometres. However, its poor condition has forced many motorists to prefer the longer Bulawayo route. The road has been in such poor condition that commuter operators were charging between US$6 and US$10 for journeys that usually cost US$4.

The Government has already commenced rehabilitation works on sections of the road, with the contractor having moved onto the site. Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Owen Ncube recently toured a section being rehabilitated in Silobela, hailing it as a “milestone achievement”.

Senators have also raised concerns over the poor state of the road, with Senator Ritta Ndlovu noting that travelling to destinations such as Silobela had become extremely difficult, taking between seven and ten hours.

Beyond infrastructure, Mr Nyirenda called for policy stability and the allocation of funds to support local supply development.

“We need reliable savings. We need the allocation of our funds to deliver local supply development. That is the talk of the day — leverage consolidated volumes, policy stability, and also look at other delivery corridors because of the congestion that is happening,” he said.

Mr Nyirenda noted that rising global inflation in fuel, steel, reagents, and freight had driven mining costs up by more than 10 percent, with geopolitical conflicts exacerbating supply chain disruptions. He also cited foreign exchange constraints as a key challenge, with foreign suppliers demanding 100 percent upfront payments due to perceived currency instability.

Zimbabwe’s mining industry will use Mine Entra 2026 to strengthen links between mining companies and local suppliers as it seeks to boost domestic procurement and widen the sector’s contribution to the economy, the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe said.

By Ryan Chigoche

The focus comes as mining companies continue to rely heavily on imported equipment and specialised services despite growing calls to increase local content participation in a sector that remains the country’s largest export earner.

Speaking ahead of the official opening of the three-day exhibition, Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe Chief Executive Officer Dr Isaac Kwesu said Mine Entra 2026 would bring together mining companies, suppliers, energy infrastructure providers and policymakers to help build stronger value chain linkages across the industry.

“The focus is not just a mining industry that grows, but a mining industry that empowers, a mining industry that translates into local empowerment and improves the social status of our country—an inclusive, broad-based mining industry we desire,” Kwesu said.

He said this year’s exhibition would focus on strengthening connections between mining and other sectors of the economy in order to increase the industry’s multiplier effect.

“It is without doubt that this year’s edition of Mine Entra will improve the linkages between our mining industry and those other sectors in an effort to increase the mining multiplier as it enhances the social development agenda of our country,” he said.

The push reflects a long-standing challenge within Zimbabwe’s mining sector. The Chamber of Mines’ State of the Mining Industry Survey showed that mining companies spent approximately US$2.1 billion on suppliers, yet local suppliers accounted for only 15% of that expenditure, underscoring the limited participation of domestic businesses in the industry’s supply chain.

Against that backdrop, industry stakeholders are increasingly seeking ways to ensure that mining growth translates into wider opportunities for local manufacturers, engineering firms, technology providers and service companies.

The emphasis on stronger linkages comes as Zimbabwe pursues beneficiation, value addition and industrialisation policies aimed at retaining more value from its mineral resources.

While mining has attracted significant investment in recent years, industry leaders say the sector’s broader economic impact will depend on the extent to which local businesses participate in procurement, manufacturing and service provision.

For local suppliers, breaking into mining supply chains has often been hampered by limited access to capital, difficulties in meeting technical specifications and industry standards, and challenges in connecting with procurement decision-makers at major mining operations.

At the same time, mining companies continue to seek reliable suppliers capable of providing equipment, consumables, engineering services, technology solutions and other specialised inputs needed to support expanding operations.

To help address these challenges, Mine Entra 2026 will feature a Suppliers Programme designed to facilitate structured engagements between suppliers and procurement representatives from major mining houses.

The programme is also expected to draw participation from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, reflecting growing efforts to align mining expansion with the development of Zimbabwe’s manufacturing and industrial sectors.

Kwesu said discussions during the exhibition would also cover energy infrastructure, another critical area for mining growth as producers seek reliable power supplies to support operations and future investment.

Held under the theme, “Unearth, Transform, Prosper: Anchoring Economic Transformation Through Mining Value Chains,” Mine Entra 2026 seeks to position mining as a catalyst for broader economic development by strengthening connections across the value chain.

As mining companies, suppliers, investors and policymakers gather in Bulawayo, industry leaders will be looking beyond production growth to how the sector can create wider opportunities across the economy and build a more inclusive mining ecosystem.