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Opportunities for Improved Mineral Revenue Transparency in Zimbabwe’s Mining Sector

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Opportunities for Improved Mineral Revenue Transparency in Zimbabwe’s Mining Sector

Zimbabwe’s mining sector continues to grapple with the challenges of transparency in revenue collection and distribution. While mineral extraction significantly contributes to national income, the absence of clear and accountable financial systems has impeded the sector’s ability to reach its full potential, Mining Zimbabwe reports.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking during a parliamentary engagement program hosted by Green Governance Zimbabwe Trust on Friday, Obert Bore of the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) underscored the need for stronger legislative measures to enhance mineral revenue transparency in the mining sector.

Bore explained that the current Mines and Minerals Act lacks explicit provisions mandating mining companies to disclose financial transactions, including taxes and royalties paid to the government. While some companies—particularly those listed on international stock exchanges—voluntarily disclose this information, many others, especially Chinese-owned entities, do not. This lack of transparency undermines accountability within the sector.

“Illicit financial flows from mining are well-documented, yet there are no penalties in place to address them,” Bore stated.

He emphasized the importance of strengthening collaboration between institutions like the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to address these issues.

Bore also highlighted the opportunities presented by the ongoing drafting of the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill. He noted that the bill provides a critical opportunity to introduce penalties for illicit financial flows, enhance beneficial ownership disclosures, and promote contract transparency, as mandated by Section 315 of Zimbabwe’s Constitution. He also advocated for Zimbabwe to join initiatives like the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which would align the country with global standards for governance and accountability in the mining sector.

“Stronger regulatory frameworks and independent oversight are essential for the future of Zimbabwe’s mining sector,” Bore concluded, urging Parliament to prioritize these reforms.

The Framework for Gold Trading in Zimbabwe

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The Framework for Gold Trading in Zimbabwe

The following constitutes the framework and process for gold trading in Zimbabwe.

By James Tsabora (PhD) Mining and Mineral Law Consultant[1]

 

Gold Export out of Zimbabwe

  1. Trading in gold in Zimbabwe is regulated under the Gold Trade Act.[1] The main anchor of the Act is to prohibit the trading or dealing in gold by unauthorized or unlicenced persons.
  2. The Act criminalises the unauthorized possession of gold, regulates the awarding of permit and licenses for possession of and dealing in gold.
  • Dealing in gold means to buy, sell, barter, pledge, exchange, give or receive, or offer or expose for sale, barter, pledge or exchange, or have any other dealing or transaction whatever.
  1. The export of gold requires the exporter to be a holder of a gold dealing licence, which is issued subject to any conditions set by the Minister responsible for finance.
  2. A gold exporter requires to apply for a licence and pay the requisite gold export licence fees in terms of the Gold Trade (Licences Fees) Notice, 1978. In 2023, the Notice was amended to the effect that an exporter must pay USD200,000,00 for a permit/licence to export gold.[2]
  3. The licence granted under this Notice is called the gold dealing licence and allows the holder to buy, refine and export gold.
  • To control the trade of gold in Zimbabwe, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe incorporated a company, Fidelity Gold Refiners (Pvt) Ltd (formerly Fidelity Printers and Refiners Pvt Ltd), which in turn was granted licensed as a dealer in gold in terms of the Gold Trade Act. In recent years, Fidelity has engaged and licensed other persons/entities to buy gold as agents of Fidelity.
  • The gold buying agents of Fidelity are given a gold buying agency licence which allows them to buy gold on behalf of Fidelity in areas where Fidelity does not have gold buying centres. This licence costs USD2 500 per annum.
  1. In June 2024, the Government passed the Value Added Tax (General) (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (No. 69), which removed the 15% VAT payable by gold miners when delivering gold to Fidelity.[3]
  2. In practise, there is a general reluctance for the government to grant persons a gold export permit. Thus, because of this practical restriction, gold in Zimbabwe is exported almost solely by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe through its subsidiary Fidelity.
  3. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe regularly opens a window of opportunity that allow large scale companies to export some portion of gold subject to several favorable conditions. These actions are undertaken in terms of Exchange Control Regulations Statutory Instrument 109 of 1996.[4] A notable example is as follows:
  4. In June 2021, in terms of Exchange Control Circular Directive 4 of 2021, the Zimbabwe central bank issued a statement that miners who delivered gold above their average monthly output would be entitled to a retention level of 80% (instead of the designated 75%) on the incremental portion of gold delivered to Fidelity.[5]
  5. Further, large scale producers who qualify for the 80% retention threshold would be entitled to export directly the gold equivalent to the incremental portion of gold delivered to Fidelity. Fidelity would facilitate the exportation process of the qualifying gold. The 5% royalties payable would still apply.
  6. The incremental export incentive scheme was renewed and extended in 2022 in terms of Exchange Control Directive 3 of 2022.
  7. In 2023, this incremental export incentive was discontinued through Directive 2 of 2023 issued in February 2023. The Circular stated in specific terms that ‘the incremental export incentive scheme has been discontinued with effect from 01 February 2023’.[6]
  8. In substitution, the new regime for export incentives pegged the export retention threshold at 75%, and the remaining 25% of the export proceeds to be sold to the RBZ at the prevailing interbank rate, with effect from February 2023.[7]
  9. This regime was maintained for 2024 through RBZ Circular Z56 of 2024, dated 8 April 2024. Small -scale gold producers however retain 100% of their export proceeds.

 

  • Fidelity Gold buys gold; it proceeds to refine it and sell to other refineries and other entities out of Zimbabwe. It can sell to other entitles once it is assured that the destination of the gold would be a gold refinery.

 

Gold Import from Zimbabwe

  • Interested importers are required to first communicate their intention to Fidelity through a Letter of Intent addressed to the General Manager. The Letter of Intent from the prospective buyer must be accompanied by company documents showing the company articles and Memorandum of Association, beneficial ownership and tax compliance details, among other documents.
  • Once the letter reaches the office of the General Manager of Fidelity, s/he submits a Letter of Response, highlighting the terms and conditions upon which Fidelity offers the gold.
  1. Once the prospective buyer is agreeable, s/he sends an Acceptance Letter to the General Manager.
  • Thereafter, a Contract is drafted between Fidelity and the prospective buyer. A critical clause in the contract is the statement by Fidelity that delivery of the requested quantity is subject to availability.
  • This correspondence leads to the registration by gold buyers with Fidelity for purposes of buying gold.
  • The buyer and Fidelity enter into a prefinancing model, whereupon gold is availed by Fidelity after 10 days at a price discounted by 3% LBMA.
  • There is also an even smaller window for ‘direct export’ that can be used by large-scale producers, with full authority of Reserve Bank and facilitation by Fidelity. Fidelity will facilitate all the assaying and export processes to destination.
  1. Roughly, the process is as follows:
  2. The prospective exporter must have the gold dealing licence stated above.
  3. The exporter must be a large scale producer, who delivers a large quantity of gold to Fidelity. Fidelity confirms to Reserve Bank possible payment challenges, and receives authority and approval from Reserve Bank Exchange Control authorities for the export of gold to a refinery outside Zimbabwe.
  4. Fidelity proceeds to semi-refine the gold and export it to a refinery outside Zimbabwe; the receiving foreign refinery does the final refining process and the gold is sold on behalf of the Zimbabwean large-scale gold producer.
  5. The Zimbabwean large-scale producer receives the proceeds of the gold sales directly into its bank account in Zimbabwe within a few days of delivery to the final refinery.
  • The Exchange Control authorities in Zimbabwe confirmed with us that this route can be considered in exceptional circumstances. In 2023, it was used in respect of gold export by a certain large gold producer.[8] In relation to this example, the gold producer was allowed to ‘directly sell’ to a refiner outside Zimbabwe, but through facilitation by Fidelity, which is the sole holder of the gold buying licence. In reality, Fidelity does the actual sale, and retains its 5% royalties from the submitted gold.
  • In our view, this route is rather an informal and exceptional arrangement that is difficult to seek with authorities in ordinary circumstances. It requires delivery of large quantities of gold as would make it difficult for Fidelity to pay to the producer in good time.

 

Accordingly,

  • Gold producers can only sell their gold through Fidelity Gold Refiners, which, in turn can export the gold to international markets.
  • A different kind of sale, loosely termed ‘direct sale’ of gold from a large producer is possible in exceptional circumstances with full authorization and approval by the Reserve Bank Exchange Control authorities. However, in our view, this route does not eliminate the facilitation and involvement of Fidelity. It simply quickens the process of payment and adds flexibility to the receipt of payment from the foreign gold buyers.
  • The central bank regularly introduces gold export incentives for producers, which creates windows of opportunity for more profitable sales for producers.
  • In contrast, gold import from Zimbabwe is rather straightforward, and takes the form of contract. Fidelity offers a 1% discount against the international price of gold to importers.
  • For international investors, importing gold from Zimbabwe is a less challenging option than gold export. Gold import has less costs, bureaucratic hurdles, extremely few regulatory restrictions and other controls, and is also quicker.

This article first appeared in the Mining Zimbabwe Magazine edition 76

[1]James is a legal consultant in mining and mineral law in Zimbabwe. His email address is [email protected] or [email protected]

[1] Chapter 21:03

Gold buying prices per gram in Zimbabwe 9 December 2024

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Gold buying prices per gram in Zimbabwe 9 December 2024

These are the official gold buying prices per gram in Zimbabwe today 9 December 2024, from the official gold buyer and exporter Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR).

SG 90% and ABOVE US$80.12/g
SG ABOVE 85% BUT BELOW 90% US$79.27g
SG ABOVE 80% BUT BELOW 85% US$78.43/g
SG ABOVE 75% BUT BELOW 80% US$77.58/g
SAMPLE BELOW 10g BUT ABOVE 5g US$76.31/g

Fire Assay CASH $80.55/g

NB: Fire Assay cash price is for gold above 100gs, no sample is deducted.
For the Fire Assay Transfer price, a sample of not more than 10g is deducted
A 2% royalty is charged on all deposits (Small-scale miners)
A 5% royalty is set for Primary Producers

Cash available. Fidelity Gold Refinery prices will be changing daily to match world market prices.

Govt Impressed with Zimplats Beneficiation Investment

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Govt Impressed with Zimplats Beneficiation Investment

The Government of Zimbabwe has expressed satisfaction with Zimplats‘ progress in fulfilling its value addition and beneficiation commitments. This follows the company’s significant investments in expanding smelting and refining capacity at its operations, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe on the sidelines of a recent visit to Zimplats’ Selous Metallurgical Complex, the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon. Winston Chitando, commended the platinum giant for making substantial strides toward meeting the goals outlined in the US$1.8 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signed with the government. The MoU aims to expand mining capacity and establish key value addition infrastructure, including a new smelter and refinery.

Minister Chitando highlighted that Zimplats had already invested approximately US$1.1 billion of the total US$1.8 billion commitment. These funds have been allocated to increasing the company’s mining output, expanding its smelting facilities, and developing a state-of-the-art Base Metal Refinery (BMR), which will enhance the company’s ability to process base metals such as nickel, copper, and cobalt.

“Zimplats signed a US$1.8 billion agreement with the Government of Zimbabwe to increase and replace mining capacity and undertake value addition, specifically the expansion of smelter capacity and the establishment of refining capacity. I am very pleased with the progress they’ve made. They have not only signed the agreements but have also upheld the spirit of the agreement,” he said.

The Minister noted that the smelter is now fully operational and that the refinery is in an advanced stage of construction. Once completed, the refinery will enable Zimplats to process base metals, reducing the need for external refining and aligning with Zimbabwe’s push for local beneficiation.

“All the major components necessary for the operationalization of the refinery have been procured. Some items have already been assembled. We are now at the stage of the nickel section of the refinery, which will soon be producing nickel,” Chitando added.

The expansion of Zimplats’ smelting facilities has tripled its processing capacity, allowing the company to handle a larger volume of concentrates, not only from its operations but also from other platinum mines. Mimosa, for instance, is set to begin toll processing its concentrates at Zimplats’ smelter in January 2024.

The Minister emphasized that the establishment of the refinery marks a significant milestone in achieving the government’s vision for local value addition and beneficiation, which is a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s broader economic strategy to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030.

“Zimplats has made significant progress in fulfilling His Excellency’s vision of value addition and beneficiation in the country. The next steps are to complete assembly and operationalize the refinery, which will be a major milestone for both the company and the nation,” he said.

Once fully operational, the Base Metal Refinery will make Zimplats one of the few platinum miners in Zimbabwe capable of carrying out full beneficiation on-site. This will contribute significantly to the country’s industrialization and economic growth.

The government’s focus on value addition and beneficiation, particularly in the platinum sector, is expected to boost Zimbabwe’s export revenues, create more local jobs, and enhance the country’s standing as a leading player in the global mining industry.

Zimplats’ US$1.8 billion investment is a testament to the company’s commitment to aligning with the government’s economic goals, ensuring that the benefits of mining extend beyond extraction to sustainable development.

Global Grassroots Exploration Slumps by 8% in 2024, Now at Record-Low 22% of Budgets

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Global Grassroots Exploration Slumps by 8% in 2024, Now at Record-Low 22% of Budgets

Global mining companies have slashed spending on grassroots exploration to a historic low. The share of global budgets allocated to early-stage exploration, primarily for nonferrous metals, dropped by 8% in 2024, bringing the total to just 22%, or $2.79 billion, Mining Zimbabwe reports.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

According to S&P Global’s latest report, the sharp decline signals a major strategic shift as companies increasingly prioritize expanding known deposits over pursuing new discoveries.

In contrast, the late 1990s to early 2000s were characterized by a robust focus on uncovering new mineral resources. Between 1997 and 2004, nearly 50% of exploration budgets were allocated to grassroots initiatives. However, over the last two decades, exploration firms have steadily reduced their early-stage spending, choosing instead to allocate more funds to late-stage and mine site exploration.

Cesar Pastrana, data analyst at S&P and the report’s lead author, highlighted the negative impact of this trend on the pace of new discoveries.

“The number of new finds, particularly for key metals like copper and gold, has been declining consistently. The amount of contained metal within these discoveries has also dropped significantly over the years,” Pastrana said.

This slowdown in early-stage exploration has raised concerns about the future availability of critical resources. Copper and gold, essential for industries ranging from electronics to energy, are particularly affected by the reduced exploration focus.

Factors Behind the Shift

Several factors have contributed to this shift in priorities. Following a sharp decline in metal prices after 2012, mining companies adopted a more cautious, risk-averse approach to their investments. The reduced focus on grassroots exploration reflects a broader industry trend of limiting financial risk by extending known mineral deposits rather than pursuing high-risk, high-reward new discoveries.

“This reallocation of budgets allows companies to boost their resources from existing projects, but it limits the potential for uncovering new large-scale deposits. We are seeing more reserves come from older mines, which isn’t a sustainable strategy in the long term,” Pastrana said.

According to the S&P report, late-stage exploration experienced the largest budget cuts in 2024, with spending dropping to $4.71 billion. This represents a marked decline from recent years, breaking a three-year trend of increasing investment in late-stage projects. Late-stage exploration now accounts for 38% of the global budget, the second-largest category after mine site exploration.

Meanwhile, mine site exploration—the least risky of the three stages—saw modest growth, rising by 2% in 2024. This stage, which focuses on extending existing operations, has emerged as the most attractive option for many companies operating in a tight capital environment, particularly those focused on gold and copper projects.

Regional Trends

A significant portion of the decline in grassroots exploration spending has been driven by Australia, a leading global mining hub. According to S&P, the country’s allocation toward grassroots gold and copper projects fell sharply by 32% and 25%, respectively, in 2024. Rio Tinto, Australia’s largest grassroots explorer, slashed its spending in the region by 57%, signalling a major pivot in strategy.

Australia’s cutbacks were mirrored in Latin America, where countries like Ecuador, Mexico, and Chile each reduced their grassroots exploration budgets by over $20 million.

The Future of Exploration

S&P Global’s report highlights the risks of this trend for the long-term sustainability of mineral resources. Pastrana emphasized that while focusing on known deposits can temporarily boost reserves, it ultimately limits the industry’s ability to discover new resources, raising concerns about the supply of critical minerals in the future.

“The industry’s cautious approach, shaped by volatile metal prices and constrained financing, is causing companies to play it safe,” Pastrana said. “This could jeopardize the long-term availability of key metals, making it harder to meet future demand.”

As the global mining landscape continues to evolve, the challenge will be balancing financial risk with the need for new discoveries. For companies and investors, navigating this dynamic environment will be critical to ensuring resource sustainability in the years to come.

PLZ Set to Launch Education-Focused CSR Objectives for 2025

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PLZ Set to Launch Education-Focused CSR Objectives for 2025

Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ), is set to unveil its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) objectives for 2025. This initiative will mark one of the company’s largest efforts to date.

By Ryan Chigoche

The launch of these CSR objectives follows the company’s significant community development initiatives, including improvements at a local primary school and the construction of a road linking Majuru Township in Goromonzi to the mine.

During an event held at the company headquarters yesterday, PLZ’s Public Relations Manager, Patience Chizodza, hinted at the education-focused nature of the company’s upcoming CSR objectives. While she did not reveal extensive details, she shared some insights into the plans.

“We have already conducted community assessments in partnership with the University of Zimbabwe. Their research findings highlighted areas such as health, education, skill development, and children’s growth. We will officially launch our CSR objectives for 2025 on the 13th of December,” Chizodza said.

Over the past two years, PLZ has made significant investments in education, including a scholarship program that has benefited 70 students from 13 wards across the Goromonzi district.

At Vhuta School, where the company plans to unveil its 2025 CSR objectives, PLZ has already constructed classroom blocks and staff quarters. Additionally, other schools in the area, including Ivordale, Musirikwi, Belmont, and Mwanza, have received new furniture and textbooks as part of the company’s ongoing CSR efforts.

PLZ has also implemented a solar lighting project along the Goromonzi Road, aimed at reducing crime in the community, and is constructing a police base in Ward 13 to enhance security.

Beyond education and security, the company has been actively involved in supporting local agriculture and infrastructure development.

In 2024, one of PLZ’s major projects was the rehabilitation of the 26 km road from the Goromonzi turn-off to the mine. Addressing journalists, Chizodza confirmed that the remaining 8 km stretch of the road would be completed by the end of the year.

PLZ is a subsidiary of China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Limited, one of the world’s largest producers of lithium-ion battery materials and cobalt-based materials.

In 2021, Huayou acquired a controlling interest in Zimbabwe’s Arcadia Lithium Mine in Goromonzi from the Australian mining group Prospect Resources for USD 377.8 million.

Zimplats Smelter to Begin Processing Mimosa’s Concentrates in January – Chitando

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Zimplats Smelter to Begin Processing Mimosa’s Concentrates in January – Chitando

Mining Zimbabwe reports that the country’s second-biggest platinum group metals (PGMs) producer, Mimosa Mining Company, will start toll processing its concentrates at Zimplats’ recently expanded smelter in January.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

During a recent site visit to Zimplats’ Selous Metallurgical Complex, Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon. Winston Chitando confirmed that Mimosa will begin utilizing Zimplats’ smelting capacity early next year. The Zimplats smelter, which has undergone significant upgrades, will play a crucial role in processing Mimosa’s concentrates, reducing the need for external smelting services and creating additional value within Zimbabwe.

He stated that this development marks a significant step forward in local beneficiation and aligns with the government’s vision for the country to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030.

“The Zimplats smelter’s capacity has been increased threefold, which is a major breakthrough for the platinum sector. This expansion will enable Zimplats to handle not only its own concentrates but also toll-process material from Mimosa Mining Company starting in January,” said Minister Chitando.

This move is seen as a key component of Zimbabwe’s strategy to reduce raw material exports and focus on local beneficiation, thereby increasing revenue and employment opportunities in the mining sector. By processing Mimosa’s concentrates locally, Zimplats will contribute significantly to achieving this goal while enhancing its operational efficiency.

Zimplats’ Chief Technical Officer, Amend Chiduma, explained the scale and capabilities of the new smelting infrastructure at the Selous Metallurgical Complex during the visit, stating that it is three times the previous smelting capacity.

“Our smelter has been upgraded to process 380 kilotons of material per annum, which is three times what we were previously handling. This capacity expansion allows us to not only meet our internal needs but also process concentrates from Mimosa and other producers, as necessary. It’s a game-changer for the local PGM industry,” said Chiduma.

The smelter expansion is part of Zimplats’ larger beneficiation strategy, which includes the construction of a Base Metal Refinery (BMR) that will enable the company to process base metals such as nickel, copper, and cobalt on-site. The BMR is expected to be operational soon, further enhancing Zimbabwe’s PGM industry by ensuring that more stages of production occur locally.

Minister Chitando emphasized the importance of such infrastructure investments in promoting Zimbabwe’s industrialization goals and boosting the mining sector’s contribution to the economy.

“With the increased smelting capacity at Zimplats and the imminent start of Mimosa’s toll processing, we are seeing real progress in our efforts to ensure that more value is added to our resources locally. This will positively impact revenue generation and create skilled jobs, which aligns with our mining roadmap,” he added.

Previously, PGM producers sent concentrates for smelting and other beneficiation to South Africa. Zimplats’ smelter expansion will help other mines reduce the logistics costs of transporting concentrates to South Africa and create jobs locally.

China’s Export Ban Sends Antimony Prices Soaring 40% in One Day

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China’s Export Ban Sends Antimony Prices Soaring 40% in One Day

Antimony prices soared 40% on Wednesday after China on Tuesday banned exports to the United States of several critical minerals. China enforced theexisting limits on antimony, gallium, and germanium – critical minerals that have widespread military applications ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office next month.

“In principle, the export of gallium, germanium, antimony, and superhard materials to the United States shall not be permitted,” Chinese Commerce Ministry said.

China is the world’s largest producer of antimony, accounting for 48% of global mined output. The country’s output in 2023 clocked in at 40,000 tonnes, nearly double Tajikistan’s 21,000 tonnes while Turkey was the third largest producer with 6,000 tonnes.

Antimony is considered a strategic metal used in military applications such as ammunition, infrared missiles and nuclear weapons as well as lead-acid storage batteries used in cars and brake pads thanks to its heat resistant properties. Antimony is also widely used in the solar sector to improve transparency for the cover glass on solar cells and is also used in the screens of smartphones.

“It’s a sign of the times. The military uses of Sb (antimony) are now the tail that wags the dog. Everyone needs it for armaments so it is better to hang onto it than sell it. This will put a real squeeze on the U.S. and European militaries,” Christopher Ecclestone, a principal and mining strategist at Hallgarten & Company in London, told CNN shortly after Beijing announced the curbs on antimony exports.

Not surprisingly, shares of rare metal producers are flying: shares of Hunan Gold Corporation, one of the biggest antimony producers, have returned 64% in the year-to-date while Perpetua Resources has rocketed 270% over the timeframe.

Beijing’s latest move comes the day after Washington’slatest crackdown on China’s chip sector, marking the escalation of an ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies. Last year, China announcedthat it would impose restrictions on exports of eight gallium and six germanium products starting August 2023  in retaliation for U.S. imposing trade restrictions and tariffs on Chinese-made products. On August 14, Beijing tightened the noose and announced export restrictions on antimony as part of the country’s latest move to restrict critical mineral shipments.

By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com

Mining Opportunities in Kadoma

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Mining Opportunities in Kadoma

Kadoma, located in Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland West province, is rich in mining potential. Known historically as a gold mining hub, Kadoma offers a wide array of mineral opportunities that extend far beyond gold.

This article delves into the key mining prospects and highlights the immense potential that the region holds for investors and industry stakeholders.

Key Minerals in Kadoma

Kadoma is home to an impressive variety of minerals, making it a strategic location for mining operations. Some of the prominent minerals found in Kadoma include:

  • Gold: Found in every district in Zimbabwe, Kadoma has a long history of gold mining, with established small-scale and large-scale operations. RioZim’s Cam and Motor Mine is located in the town. Successful small-scale miners like Mrasta, Cosy Rules and Kevie are based in Kadoma.
  • Chromium: The region is rich in chromium deposits, crucial for stainless steel production.
  • Copper: Copper reserves in Kadoma present significant opportunities for industrial applications, including electronics and construction.
  • Iron: Kadoma’s iron deposits are an essential resource for the steel manufacturing sector.
  • Kaolin: This clay mineral has numerous industrial uses, including ceramics and paper production.
  • Pyrite: Also known as “fool’s gold,” pyrite found in Kadoma has potential for sulfuric acid production.
  • Mercury: This mineral is essential in certain chemical processes, although its extraction and use require strict environmental management.
  • Limestone: Widely used in construction and industrial applications, limestone reserves in Kadoma are plentiful.
  • Magnetite: A valuable iron ore, magnetite in Kadoma can support the steel and construction industries.
  • Tungsten: With applications ranging from electronics to military equipment, Kadoma’s tungsten deposits are a lucrative resource.

Opportunities for Investment

Kadoma’s diverse mineral wealth creates a range of investment opportunities across different sectors:

  1. Mining and Processing Facilities: Developing new mining operations or expanding existing ones can help unlock the full potential of Kadoma’s mineral wealth.
  2. Value Addition: Establishing plants to process raw minerals locally could maximize economic benefits and create jobs in the region.
  3. Technology and Expertise: Kadoma presents opportunities for mining technology companies to introduce sustainable and efficient mining practices.
  4. Export Potential: With demand for minerals like gold, chromium, and tungsten growing globally, Kadoma offers a strategic position for mineral exports.

Challenges and Recommendations

While Kadoma offers vast opportunities, there are challenges that investors need to consider, such as regulatory compliance, environmental sustainability, and access to infrastructure. Strengthening public-private partnerships and adhering to sustainable mining practices will be crucial in overcoming these hurdles.

Conclusion

Kadoma’s mineral wealth positions it as a vital contributor to Zimbabwe’s mining sector. With strategic investments and sustainable practices, the region has the potential to attract global attention and contribute significantly to Zimbabwe’s economic growth. Aspiring miners and investors are encouraged to explore Kadoma’s opportunities and contribute to the development of this mining hub.

Zimplats Smelter Completed, BMR Construction Underway

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Zimplats Smelter Completed, BMR Construction Underway

Zimbabwe’s largest platinum group metal (PGM) producer, Zimplats, has reached a significant milestone in its value addition and beneficiation strategy with the completion of its state-of-the-art smelter at the Selous Metallurgical Complex. This facility is set to enhance the production of critical base metals such as nickel, copper, and cobalt, contributing to the country’s broader mining industry objectives, Mining Zimbabwe reports.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

During a ministerial visit led by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon. Winston Chitando, Zimplats’ Chief Technical Officer, Amend Chiduma, highlighted the operational capabilities and significance of the newly completed smelter. He emphasized that this development ushers in an era of increased local processing for Zimplats.

“We receive concentrates from our concentrators. Once the concentrates arrive here, they are wet and require drying before entering the furnace. The flash dryer, part of our advanced smelting technology, ensures efficient drying of the PGM concentrates,” Chiduma explained.

The smelter operates at 38 megawatts and boasts an annual processing capacity of 380 kilotons, tripling the company’s previous capacity. “This smelter is located adjacent to our old facility, and its furnace is among the largest globally. With this upgrade, we’ve increased our smelting capacity threefold,” Chiduma noted.

Smelting Process Details

Chiduma outlined the stages involved in the smelting process:

  • After concentrates are fed into the furnace, furnace matte is produced.
  • The matte undergoes further refinement in converters to eliminate impurities.
  • Supporting infrastructure, including cooling towers and electrical switchgear facilities, ensures seamless operations.

The completion of the smelter reduces Zimplats’ reliance on external smelting services and aligns with its strategy of maximizing local beneficiation while boosting production and export capacity.

Base Metal Refinery (BMR) Construction Progress

In addition to the smelter, Zimplats is making progress on its Base Metal Refinery (BMR), which will complete the beneficiation process by refining nickel, copper, and cobalt extracted from the smelter.

“We’ve procured all required circuits for the BMR and are now assembling and commissioning them. This will enable full beneficiation, adding value to both the company and the country,” Chiduma said.

Investment in Sulphuric Acid Production

Zimplats is also investing in an acid plant that will utilize gases emitted by the smelter to produce sulphuric acid, a key component in fertilizer production. This will support Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector by meeting growing fertilizer demands.

Significance for Zimbabwe’s Economy

The advancements at the Selous Metallurgical Complex are pivotal in Zimbabwe’s economic growth strategy, which aims to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030. Zimplats’ investments in local beneficiation and refining processes are expected to play a critical role in industrialization and economic growth.

These developments underline Zimplats’ commitment to aligning its operations with Zimbabwe’s national economic goals, fostering both industrial and agricultural progress.

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