Mining ZimbabweLatest Mining News, Policy and Industry Updates

Preparations for the Mining, Transport and Engineering Expo (Mine Entra) 2025 are in full swing, with organisers reporting robust early subscriptions and growing interest from across the mining value chain, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

The event happening from the 8th to the 10th of October, has long been regarded as the premier platform for business, networking, and knowledge exchange in Zimbabwe’s mining, engineering, and transport industries — and this year’s edition is shaping up to build on that legacy.

So far, as of last week, 173 exhibitors have confirmed their participation, spanning mining, engineering, transport, construction, and allied sectors.

International players from South Africa and China have already booked space, with organisers expecting numbers to climb steadily in the coming weeks. The goal is to at least match last year’s record 289 exhibitors — a milestone that represented a 41% increase on 2023 and a 91% surge in international participation.

Running under the theme “Beyond Extraction: Sustaining the Future of Mining,” this year’s Mine Entra will put sustainability, innovation, and community impact at the centre of conversations.

Conference sessions will focus on practical solutions for sustainable mining, green technologies, the energy transition, ESG compliance, digital transformation, automation, and regulatory innovation.

In an interview with Mining Zimbabwe, ZITF Chief Executive Officer Nick Ndebele said last year’s success was a strong endorsement of Mine Entra’s relevance to the industry.

“The growth we witnessed in 2024 was a clear vote of confidence in Mine Entra as a trusted platform for business and knowledge exchange. To sustain and build on this momentum, we have implemented several strategies. These include strengthening partnerships with key industry associations and government agencies to widen our reach; enhancing our international marketing drive through targeted promotion in key mining markets; and curating conference content that speaks directly to global trends such as sustainability, digital transformation, and energy transition,” Ndebele said.

Beyond the exhibition stands, ZITF has also introduced structured business matchmaking designed to connect exhibitors with potential partners, suppliers, and financiers — ensuring participants derive tangible value from attending.

The organisers are targeting a more diverse range of players from across the mining value chain, including technology providers, financiers, and sustainability partners, to position Mine Entra as a one-stop hub for mining solutions.

With exhibitor numbers rising rapidly and international interest growing, Mine Entra 2025 is expected to once again provide a high-impact platform for deal-making, networking, and shaping the future of Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

Organisers are encouraging companies to secure their space early to take full advantage of the opportunities the event presents.

To book, click HERE

Gold has surged to historic highs, breaching the $3,700 mark for the first time on September 17, 2025, before climbing further to $3,723.21 today, a record-setting rally that represents a 41.76 per cent year-to-date gain.

By Ryan Chigoche

The rally cements gold’s status as the go-to safe haven in a world grappling with economic fragility, supply chain shocks, and rising geopolitical tensions.

This surge is more than a price milestone. It signals a deep shift in global financial markets as investors abandon riskier assets and seek protection in hard money.

The rally was sparked by the U.S. Federal Reserve’s first rate cut of 2025, lowering the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 4–4.25 per cent on September 16–17.

The move followed softer inflation data and weakening labour markets, reducing the opportunity cost of holding non-yielding assets like gold.

The cut also weakened the U.S. dollar, which slid to a year-to-date low of 96.56, making gold cheaper for international buyers.

The dollar index has dropped 2% in the past month, amplifying gold’s inverse relationship with the greenback.

At the same time, bond market volatility and multi-month lows in real yields on 10-year Treasuries have driven investors away from fixed income and into bullion.

Central banks have been the backbone of this rally.

Purchases are on track to hit 900 tonnes in 2025, continuing three straight years of record buying above 1,000 tonnes. China and India lead this shift, reducing exposure to dollar-denominated reserves in a sign of accelerating de-dollarisation.

The U.S. dollar’s share of global reserves has slipped to 57.8 per cent, and refiners and miners are struggling to keep pace with the demand surge.

Goldman Sachs has called this central bank buying “stronger than expected” and expects it to continue well into 2026, keeping supply tight and prices elevated.

Geopolitical tensions have only deepened gold’s appeal.

The revival of the U.S.–China trade war following President Trump’s April 2025 “Liberation Day” tariffs has stoked fears of stagflation and global supply disruptions. Conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have further unsettled investors, who are piling into gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) at levels not seen since 2023. Over-the-counter gold trading has also surged, creating a feedback loop of demand that keeps pushing prices higher.

Macroeconomic conditions are also tilting in gold’s favour. With U.S. core CPI expected at 3.1% this year and nonfarm payroll data pointing to a slowing economy, recession fears are mounting. The World Gold Council reports gold rose 26% in the first half of 2025, outperforming all major asset classes and reaffirming its status as a hedge against both inflation and economic downturns.

For gold producers, the price rally is nothing short of a windfall. Mines across the globe, including those in Zimbabwe, are enjoying a perfect storm of record prices and rising output.

Zimbabwean producers have reported improving production thanks to new capital investment and mechanisation projects, and the timing could not be better. The resulting surge in foreign currency earnings is expected to bolster government revenues through royalties and taxes while improving liquidity in the broader economy.

Gold’s march past US$3,700 also fits into a long historical trend of price milestones during times of global stress. Fixed at just $35 per ounce under Bretton Woods until 1971, gold hit $850 in 1980 — equivalent to about US$3,200 today — during the oil shocks and stagflation crisis.

After years of weakness in the 1980s and 1990s, prices climbed to US$1,900 in 2011 amid the global financial crisis.

The COVID-19 pandemic pushed gold beyond US$2,000 in 2020, and by February 2025, prices had already crossed US$2,900 before accelerating toward today’s levels. This year’s 41% rally has even outpaced the explosive gains seen in early 2020, driven by modern forces such as deglobalisation, competition from digital assets, and algorithmic trading volatility.

Analysts are already looking ahead. Goldman Sachs, which recently raised its year-end target to US$3,700, now sees gold hitting US$4,000 by mid-2026 and possibly spiking to US$5,000 if confidence in U.S. fiscal and monetary policy erodes further.

J.P. Morgan projects a slightly more conservative US$3,675 by the fourth quarter of 2025, with prices also rising to US$4,000 next year.

The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is in the process of recapitalising the Mining Industry Loan Fund, a facility introduced in 2022 to support the mechanisation and growth of artisanal and small-scale mining operations, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

The fund was established to address one of the sector’s biggest challenges — limited access to affordable capital — which has often constrained productivity and contributed to unsafe working conditions.

Deputy Chief Government Mining Engineer, Eng. T. Paswavaviri, confirmed that a fresh injection of US$5 million was recently availed by the government to boost the fund. Of this amount, about US$3.8 million has already been committed towards procuring mining equipment.

“We do have a kitty of US$5 million that was availed by the government and so far out of the five million we have committed about 3.8 million US dollars in procuring equipment, mining equipment locally and abroad. We have managed to purchase equipment like ball mills, geocrushers, pumps and generators. Most of this equipment is on the high seas en route to Zimbabwe, and we expect that by the end of October, most of it will be delivered,” he said.

The Mining Industry Loan Fund was introduced as part of the government’s drive to formalise artisanal mining and integrate it into the mainstream economy.

The facility provides two main types of support — plant and equipment hire loans as well as mining establishment loans — giving miners access to the machinery and capital needed to expand operations.

The latest recapitalisation is expected to strengthen this support, ensuring that more miners benefit from modern equipment that can increase production while promoting safer and more environmentally responsible mining practices.

Artisanal and small-scale miners are a key part of Zimbabwe’s mining sector, contributing more than 67 per cent of gold deliveries to Fidelity Gold Refinery, the country’s sole buyer and exporter of gold.

By equipping this segment with modern tools, the government hopes to boost output, improve recovery rates, and reduce leakages through informal markets.

The recapitalisation is also in line with Zimbabwe’s broader goal of growing mining’s contribution to the US$12 billion mining economy target and driving sustainable economic development.

Authorities expect the delivery of the newly purchased equipment to mark a major milestone for the fund and provide a significant boost to productivity across the ASM sector.

However, experts note that timely equipment delivery, operator training, and loan repayment discipline will be critical to ensure the fund remains sustainable and delivers lasting benefits to the mining industry.

The High Court of Zimbabwe has struck off an application by Korzim Strategic Minerals (Pvt) Ltd seeking to review the forfeiture of its mining claims, bringing to a close a protracted legal dispute that has stretched over 15 years, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

Justice Priscilla Munangati-Manongwa ruled that Korzim’s application was fatally defective and ordered the company to pay costs to Fourteen Karate Mining Syndicate, the fourth respondent in the case.

Korzim had sought a review against the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, the Mashonaland Central provincial mining director, Kingston Nyamakura, and Fourteen Karate Mining Syndicate.

The case was struck off the roll for non-compliance with Rule 62(2) of the High Court Rules, 2021, which requires that a review application clearly set out the exact relief sought.

The dispute dates back to 2009, when Korzim accused Fourteen Karate Mining Syndicate of encroaching on its claims. An investigation by the mining commissioner revealed, however, that Korzim had pegged its claims on ground that was not open for prospecting.

Following this finding, the commissioner cancelled the claims and instructed Korzim to lodge an appeal with the minister within 30 days. Korzim’s claims were officially forfeited that same year, and the company was fully aware of the decision.

Despite this, Korzim filed a review application in 2015, which was dismissed for want of prosecution. Nearly a decade later, in 2025, the company once again approached the court insisting that it had only discovered the cancellation in April 2024.

Fourteen Karate Mining Syndicate opposed the claim and produced a 2015 letter from Korzim confirming that it had been aware of the cancellation and previous legal action, arguing that the latest application was meritless and a waste of the court’s time and resources.

Justice Munangati-Manongwa agreed with Fourteen Karate Mining Syndicate’s position, finding that the application had been filed more than 15 years after the forfeiture, far beyond the eight-week period prescribed by law.

The court also found that Korzim had fabricated a timeline to create the impression of recent knowledge of the cancellation and had failed to disclose the earlier dismissed review application. In her judgment, Justice Munangati-Manongwa stated that the application was “fatally defective and founded on dishonesty” before striking it off the roll with costs.

This is not the first time Korzim has found itself entangled in legal and regulatory challenges. In 2023, the company was taken to court by Auriga Mineral Exploitation over safety and environmental concerns after it allegedly constructed a tunnel under the Shamva–Nyagande road without the necessary Environmental Impact Assessment certificate.

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) raised concerns about the potential risk to public safety posed by the underground works.

The judgment brings finality to a case that has been running since 2009 and signals the courts’ unwillingness to entertain stale or procedurally flawed applications, potentially setting a precedent for other long-standing mining disputes.

In a nation rich with mineral wealth, the story of Zimbabwe’s gemstones is no longer one of hidden potential and missed opportunities, but a celebrated narrative of empowerment, inclusion, and visionary partnership, thanks to the transformative Fair, Green and Global (FGG) project, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Implemented by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO) in partnership with ActionAid Zimbabwe, this initiative has successfully turned an overlooked and informal subsector into a beacon of sustainable and community-centric development, leaving a legacy that will resonate for generations.

The profound impact of this collaboration was palpable at a recent project closure and documentary dissemination event held during the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI), where partners and beneficiaries alike gathered to celebrate a journey that has redefined the very fabric of artisanal gemstone mining.

The success of the FGG project was driven by the dedicated leadership of two key individuals: Fadzai Midzi, the point person from the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO), and Darlington Chidarara, the lead from ActionAid Zimbabwe. Their synergistic partnership provided the strategic direction and grassroots momentum needed to turn an ambitious vision into a tangible reality.

Reflecting on the journey with a sense of proud accomplishment, Fadzai Midzi of ZELO stood before the audience and painted a picture of the sector’s remarkable metamorphosis. “When we embarked on this journey with ActionAid in 2021, our gemstone sector was shrouded in silence,” Midzi shared, her voice reflecting the weight and joy of the milestone. “It was an invisible world, operating on the margins. Today, our hearts are full. We now have a strong, vibrant gemstone association and a growing national conversation that puts value addition and community benefits at the forefront. This project was never just about minerals; it was about people. It was about giving miners and communities the knowledge to protect their interests, the confidence to raise their voices, and the practical tools to advocate for a future where mining truly benefits everyone.”

This sentiment was echoed by the project’s core vision, which Darlington Chidarara of ActionAid helped shape—a five-year commitment to ensuring that marginalised groups, particularly women and youth, could claim their space in mining value chains and trade, firmly grounded in the unwavering principles of human rights, gender equality, and a just energy transition.

Breaking the Silence: A New Dawn for Dialogue in Mutoko

The project’s most dramatic transformation unfolded in Mutoko District, a region blessed with abundant gemstone deposits but long stifled by a culture of secrecy and limited oversight. Zephania Nhidza of the Mutoko Rural District Council provided a powerful testimony to the change in atmosphere.

“Before ZELO and ActionAid came to us, gemstone mining was a closed book,” Nhidza explained. “Miners would operate in isolation, with no dialogue, no royalty agreements, and no thought for community development. It was considered a forbidden topic, often controlled by powerful interests. But when Fadzai, Darlington, and their teams engaged us, we decided to believe in a new possibility. We saw miners we never thought would sit at a table with us come forward and engage. They broke the silence with us. This was the crack that let the light in, paving the way for transparency and ensuring that the wealth from our land could finally begin to benefit the people of our community.”

Empowering the Excluded: Women and Youth Take Center Stage

A defining triumph of the FGG project has been its unwavering focus on elevating women and youth, transforming them from sidelined observers into central actors in the gemstone narrative. The formation of the Women in Gemstone Association of Zimbabwe (WIGAZ) provided a united platform for women to organise, train, and boldly showcase their craftsmanship.

Stellia Phiri, a member of WIGAZ, beamed as she recounted her experience. “Through our association, we found our collective voice,” Phiri said. “We learned, we grew, and we even travelled to other countries to exhibit our beautiful stones. It was more than a trip; it was an affirmation that our work has value on a global stage.”

Blessing Hungwe of the Zimbabwe Women in Mining Association (ZAWIMA) highlighted how the project, under Chidarara and Midzi’s guidance, demystified the market. “I knew where the gemstones were in Hurungwe, but I never knew how to make them profitable,” Hungwe shared. “This lack of knowledge pushed women into other work. The FGG project didn’t just give us tools; it gave us vision. It showed us that through value addition, we could build a future for ourselves right here.”

Building Skills, Building Futures: The Engine of Capacity Development

Understanding that true empowerment requires practical ability, the project, led by Midzi’s team at ZELO, forged critical alliances with institutions like the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) and the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ).

Paul Machona of ZSM detailed this hands-on approach. “We moved beyond theory,” Machona explained. “We trained women in the art of lapidary—cutting and polishing stones—and then provided a vital incubation phase. This support system, a core part of the project’s design, ensured they were not just skilled but also confident entrepreneurs ready to thrive on their own.”

From Local to Global: Connecting Communities to International Markets

The project’s impact stretched beyond Zimbabwe’s borders, successfully plugging local miners into regional and international value chains. This allowed them to bypass the low returns of raw exports and instead profit from finished, value-added products.

Ruvimbo Kadengu, Secretary-General of WIGAZ, shared her profound personal journey. “My grandfather mined emeralds, and I grew up loving these stones but seeing no future in them,” Kadengu recounted. “Then, through this project, we travelled to Zambia and Nigeria. We saw that gemstones are a multibillion-dollar industry. That knowledge was power. We realised we are not just miners; we are businesswomen. Now, we add value to every stone, and that means more money stays with us, our families, and our communities.”

A Lasting Legacy: Structures for a Sustainable Future

As the FGG project closes, its legacy is secured not in a report, but in the lives changed and the systems built. Mutoko District Development Coordinator Kambaya Isiah praised the model of collaboration. “The partnership between ZELO and ActionAid, facilitated by Midzi and Chidarara, provided a blueprint for how development should work—through coordination and true partnership with government. This model must be replicated.”

Fadzai Midzi concluded with a powerful vision for the future: “This project has woven a new DNA of advocacy and enterprise into our gemstone sector. The structures we built together are strong. They will continue to champion value addition, community benefits, and human rights long after we step aside. The silence has been broken for good, replaced by the vibrant, hopeful sounds of inclusive growth and shared prosperity. That is our lasting gift to Zimbabwe.”

The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion has revised Zimbabwe’s 2025 growth projection to 6.6%, up from the initial 6% outlined in the National Budget, with mining, particularly gold, as one of the major sectors expected to play a key role in driving the economy forward, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

The announcement was made by Minister Mthuli Ncube at the Zimbabwe Economic Development Conference (ZEDCON) 2025 in Bulawayo, running under the theme “Macroeconomic and Sectoral Policies for Broad-Based Economic Transformation.”

This upward revision comes as gold has enjoyed a bullish run on international markets for most of the year, providing strong revenues for the fiscus, while agriculture has rebounded following the drought-induced slowdown of 2024.

Speaking at the conference as he projected growth of 6.6% and a nominal GDP of slightly over US$50 billion, Ncube emphasised that mining and agriculture (tobacco) remain the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economic transformation.

“Zimbabwe stands at a critical juncture. Despite global headwinds, as well as exogenous shocks, including climate change, commodity price fluctuations and energy supply constraints, the resilience of our economy and the strength of our resource endowment give us immense reason for optimism,” Ncube added.

“Economic growth for 2025 is now projected above the original projection of 6% to around 6.6%, with an expected nominal GDP of approximately US$52.3 billion. The higher projection is on account of more-than-anticipated output in the agricultural sector, particularly tobacco, following favourable climatic conditions, and mining sector growth buoyed by high commodity prices, notably gold.”

Meanwhile, data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) shows that GDP stood at US$45.7 billion in 2024, demonstrating positive economic momentum.

Ncube added that the recovery trajectory will be supported by beneficiation, value addition, and investment in energy infrastructure, which are key to sustaining growth and creating jobs, as he urged the private sector to capitalise on renewable energy projects to expand production capacity and attract fresh investment.

The mining sector, while a key driver of growth, continues to face challenges around policy consistency, high operational costs, and multiple taxes and levies, according to the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe.

The industry body has repeatedly called for streamlined licensing, predictable fiscal policies, and affordable energy tariffs to enhance competitiveness and attract investment into this critical sector.

In a positive development, Ncube added that the government is currently undertaking an exercise to enhance the ease of doing business through cost reductions, among other measures.

“In line with our commitment to foster a more enabling business climate, the Government is undertaking a comprehensive exercise to reduce the cost of doing business and enhance competitiveness. This includes systematically cutting levies, fees and charges across all sectors in order to encourage efficiency, productivity and growth. The goal is to cut red tape, eliminate overlapping charges and create a more enabling environment for investment and business expansion,” Ncube said.

The Minister also encouraged stakeholders to submit policy proposals towards the crafting of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and to leverage opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to grow exports and integrate Zimbabwe more deeply into regional and global value chains.