Clara Sadomba is one of Zimbabwe’s most celebrated women in mining, a trailblazer in engineering, corporate leadership, and pension fund management. As Board Chair of MIPF, she not only safeguards miners’ futures but also shapes the industry’s long-term growth.
In this interview, she opens up about her journey, leadership lessons, and her mission to inspire the next generation of women in mining.
Clara, as Board Chairperson of the Mining Industry Pension Fund, what are your top priorities in ensuring the long-term sustainability and growth of the Fund?
My main priorities are ensuring the financial sustainability of MIPF while delivering meaningful benefits to members. This includes prudent investment strategies, risk management, and ensuring that contributions and returns grow consistently over time. I also focus on member engagement and education so that employees understand and plan for their retirement.
Pension funds must balance member benefits with smart investment strategies. How does MIPF navigate this, especially given Zimbabwe’s dynamic economic and mining environment?
We maintain a diversified investment portfolio across local and international assets to mitigate risks. Our approach is proactive—we monitor market trends, adapt strategies as needed, and balance liquidity requirements with long-term growth. The goal is to ensure members’ benefits are secure while the Fund grows sustainably.
Transparency and accountability are critical in governance. How do you ensure stakeholders and members have confidence in MIPF’s operations?
Transparency is central to MIPF’s operations. We provide regular reports, hold annual general meetings, and maintain open communication with members. Governance frameworks and independent oversight ensure that all decisions are auditable and that members’ interests are always safeguarded.
What steps is MIPF taking to protect and grow retirement benefits for mining employees amid evolving industry challenges?
We continuously review and adapt investment strategies to protect members against economic volatility. We engage employers to ensure timely contributions and offer financial literacy programs to help members make informed decisions. Our goal is to create a resilient Fund that grows while safeguarding retirement benefits.
From your perspective, what are the biggest challenges facing Zimbabwe’s mining sector today, and how do these affect workforce planning and pension sustainability?
The key challenges include ensuring local beneficiation, improving infrastructure, and retaining skilled personnel. Workforce planning is affected because we need technically competent professionals to run processing plants efficiently. Pension sustainability is linked directly to the sector’s health—profitable, well-managed operations ensure consistent contributions and long-term benefits for members.
You are one of the first female Mining Engineers in Zimbabwe. Take us through your journey (including how many women you were in the Engineering class, etc.)
When I started my Mining Engineering degree, there were very few women—sometimes just one or two in a class of fifty. It was challenging to navigate a male-dominated environment, but I focused on building technical competence, finding mentors, and proving that gender does not define capability. Over time, I gained confidence and established a career in mining, logistics, and governance.
You founded Silvergill Enterprises to address gaps in Zimbabwe’s mining logistics ecosystem. What specific challenges in mineral transport and export supply chains motivated you to start the company, and how is Silvergill helping to improve efficiency for mining producers?
While at ZIMASCO, I observed inefficiencies in bulk mineral transport, delays, limited multi-modal options, and high costs. Silvergill was created to address these gaps, offering integrated, end-to-end logistics solutions, particularly via rail. By tailoring services to each client’s needs, we improve efficiency, reduce costs, and provide reliable supply chains that support Zimbabwe’s mineral exporters.
You spent a significant part of your career at Zimasco, one of Zimbabwe’s leading ferrochrome producers. Looking back, how did your experience in the ferroalloy industry shape your understanding of mining value chains, logistics, and the broader business of minerals?
My time at ZIMASCO gave me a complete view of the mining value chain—from extraction to processing to export. It highlighted the importance of logistics in ensuring competitiveness and market access. I also learned how commercial strategy, operational efficiency, and international trade intersect, lessons I now apply at Silvergill and in my broader work across the mining sector.
You also serve on the board of the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company and regularly participate in international mining forums. From that vantage point, how do you see Zimbabwe positioning itself in the global market for critical minerals such as chrome and other strategic resources?
Zimbabwe is well-positioned as a supplier of transition and strategic minerals like chrome, lithium, and nickel. With investments in beneficiation and processing infrastructure, the country is moving beyond exporting raw materials to adding value locally. Internationally, Zimbabwe is gaining recognition as a reliable supplier of critical minerals, which is essential as global demand for strategic resources grows.
What advice or mentorship do you offer to young women who aspire to leadership roles in mining, finance, or governance?
I encourage young women to be confident, resilient, and technically skilled. Seek mentors, build networks, and never underestimate the power of knowledge. Leadership is earned through expertise, integrity, and consistent performance. Take opportunities, be proactive, and always continue learning, success in mining, finance, and governance is achievable with determination.
