Mining ZimbabweLatest Mining News, Policy and Industry Updates

Zimbabwe has issued a bold invitation to the global mining industry, urging investors to move beyond the extraction of raw minerals and establish manufacturing plants and industries within the country—a move set to transform the nation’s economic landscape, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The call was made by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Honourable Winston Chitando, during his keynote address at the prestigious China Mining Conference and Exhibition.

Under the theme “Zimbabwe: Africa’s Premier Mining Investment Destination – Partnership, Growth and Beneficiation,” Minister Chitando outlined a visionary path that positions Zimbabwe as a future hub for value-added production.

“We invite you to not just mine in Zimbabwe, but to manufacture and industrialise with us,” Minister Chitando declared, delivering the core message from His Excellency President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa.

He stated that the government would no longer be content with being a mere exporter of raw materials, emphasising that the future of mining in Africa lies in moving down the value chain.

“This is where our partnership reaches its highest potential,” he said. “By investing in beneficiation, you secure a strategic advantage: access to raw materials at the source, transformed into high-value products for the global market. You are not just extracting value; you are creating it within Zimbabwe, creating jobs, and building an industrial legacy.”

The Minister pointed to the successful and thriving operations of major Chinese companies like Huayou Cobalt at Arcadia, Sinomine at Bikita Minerals, and Chengxin at the Sabi Star project as “the most powerful testimony” that Zimbabwe’s partnership model works.

He assured investors of a secure and profitable environment, highlighting the government’s efforts in streamlining licensing, strengthening legal frameworks, and maintaining a stable policy under the Second Republic.

The beneficiation strategy, he detailed, includes establishing lithium processing plants and battery material production facilities to power the global energy transition, expanding ferrochrome smelting capacity, and building value-added industries for platinum group metals (PGMs), gold, and diamonds.

Minister Chitando stated that Zimbabwe possesses the proven partnership model, the vast resources, and the political will to succeed. He invited potential investors to visit the Zimbabwe pavilion at the conference to examine a curated portfolio of bankable projects and to plan a visit to see the opportunities firsthand.

“The narrative is changing. The evidence is on the ground,” he said. “Join us, and together, let us build a legacy of partnership, growth, and industrialisation.”

Sibanye-Stillwater, a company with a significant shareholding in the local Mimosa Mining Company, has unveiled a 600 MW pipeline of solar and wind projects that will supply 30% of its South African electricity demand with low-cost renewable energy by 2027.

By Ryan Chigoche

The Johannesburg- and New York-listed miner, a major producer of platinum group metals (PGMs) and gold, has already made strides through the Castle Wind Farm in the Northern Cape, which entered commercial operation at the end of March. By June 30, Castle had generated 56 GWh of clean energy, avoided 57,000 t of CO₂e emissions, and saved the company R22 million in power costs.

Castle, the largest private-offtake wind farm currently in operation in South Africa, comprises 16 turbines, each capable of producing 6 MW. Located near De Aar, it supplies electricity to Sibanye-Stillwater’s operations through a wheeling agreement with Eskom. The consortium developing the project, led by Anthem and Reatile Renewables, has also committed 0.6% of revenue to local community programmes in education, health, and skills development.

The company’s renewable rollout includes three wind farms – Castle (89 MW), Witberg (103 MW), and Umsinde (140 MW) – along with the 75 MW Springbok solar PV project. Together, the four projects will contribute 407 MW by the end of 2026, cutting Sibanye-Stillwater’s annual emissions by an estimated 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂e.

Renewable energy is expected to cost 15%–30% less than Eskom tariffs, offering both environmental and financial benefits.

Outgoing CEO Neal Froneman, who steps down today after more than 12 years at the helm, said the renewable programme underscores the group’s commitment to sustainability:

“Through large-scale solar and wind projects and innovative energy solutions, we are actively reducing our energy costs, reducing our emissions, and strengthening energy security for the South African region.”

Richard Stewart, currently Chief Regional Officer for Southern Africa, succeeds Froneman as CEO.

Sibanye-Stillwater has grown beyond gold into PGMs, battery metals, tailings reprocessing, and recycling under Froneman’s leadership, positioning itself as both a global mining powerhouse and a contributor to climate change mitigation.

All is set for the Mine Ventilation Society of Zimbabwe (MVSZ) Annual General Meeting and Symposium, which kicks off tomorrow, October 30, in Bulawayo, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

The two-day event will bring together mining professionals, regulators, engineers, suppliers, and academics to discuss the latest developments in underground mine ventilation and worker safety.

The symposium, running under the theme “Optimising Ventilation Systems for Operational Excellence,” aims to provide a practical and forward-looking platform for sharing knowledge, showcasing innovations, and discussing strategies to improve air quality and operational efficiency in Zimbabwe’s increasingly mechanised and deeper mining operations.

MVSZ President Dr. Tonderai Chikande told Mining Zimbabwe that delegates can expect a comprehensive programme that reflects the evolving complexity of mine ventilation.

“Delegates can expect case studies on airflow modelling and hybrid ventilation systems, strategies for controlling diesel particulate matter, silica exposure mitigation, thermal stress management, and discussions on regulatory reform and occupational hygiene. Beyond the technical insights, the conference promotes collaboration across regulators, engineers, suppliers, and academia,” he said.

Ventilation is no longer just a compliance requirement. As mines go deeper and adopt more mechanised operations, effective air management has become a critical enabler of safety, productivity, and sustainability. The symposium will explore how intelligent ventilation planning, real-time monitoring, and energy-efficient systems can be integrated into mine design from the outset, ensuring that workers remain safe and operations run efficiently.

The event will also provide an opportunity to benchmark Zimbabwean practices against regional and global standards. Lessons from countries like South Africa, which regularly update their ventilation frameworks to keep pace with modern mining technology, will be highlighted, providing delegates with actionable insights to improve local operations.

With delegates from across the sector, the MVSZ AGM and Symposium is set to be a landmark event for Zimbabwe’s mining industry. Participants will leave with practical solutions, stronger collaborative networks, and strategies to implement advanced ventilation systems that elevate safety and operational performance across the board.

By combining innovation, knowledge sharing, and collaboration, the symposium underscores the Mine Ventilation Society’s commitment to making ventilation a cornerstone of modern, safe, and sustainable mining in Zimbabwe.

Nasdaq-listed mining company Namib Minerals’ How Mine in Bulawayo achieved a significant operational milestone this week, surpassing 1 million fatality-free shifts, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The landmark achievement provides a strong indicator of the company’s commitment to safety standards at its flagship Zimbabwean gold operation—a critical factor for investors focused on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance.

The milestone comes just months after Namib Minerals (NAMM) completed its business combination with a Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) and listed on the Nasdaq in June 2025, positioning itself as a leading African gold producer. Maintaining an exemplary safety record is paramount as the company navigates the complexities of global capital markets and executes its expansion plans.

Safety performance, often measured by metrics like the Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) and fatality-free shifts, directly influences operational efficiency and investor confidence. The success at How Mine, which has produced approximately 1.82 million ounces of gold since 1941, highlights the successful implementation of rigorous safety protocols and management oversight.

While celebrating the safety achievement, Namib Minerals is simultaneously advancing its growth strategy. The company is currently progressing comprehensive feasibility studies for its Redwing and Mazowe gold assets in Zimbabwe, aiming to bring these properties into production.

Maintaining high safety standards while accelerating development is essential for Namib as it seeks to meet production targets and deliver shareholder value in a robust global gold market.

The emphasis on “Zero Harm” is a key part of the company’s narrative as it seeks to attract long-term investment into its Southern African portfolio.