Mining ZimbabweLatest Mining News, Policy and Industry Updates

An Inyathi gold panner has been remanded in custody after violently disarming a police officer during a clash at Mudge 24 Mine on August 20, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Luckmore Sibanda, 38, appeared before the Inyathi Magistrates’ Court, charged with assaulting a peace officer.

Prosecutors say a police team, including complainant Obert Jakata, arrived at the mine with private security but were confronted by miners armed with axes, machetes, knobkerries, spears, and iron bars.

Sibanda allegedly drove onto the scene in a silver Honda Fit, threatened officers, pinned Jakata to the ground, and seized his service pistol. He reportedly returned the weapon before ordering police to leave.

He was arrested on September 3 at a Nkayi–Bulawayo Road roadblock and returns to court on today, September 9.

Global gold prices are on a record-setting run, driven by renewed investor demand as the US dollar weakens. The metal surged to $3 592/oz in the week ending September 5, underscoring its status as a safe-haven asset in times of market uncertainty.

By Ryan Chigoche

Traditionally, gold strengthens when the dollar falls and retreats when the currency recovers. While there have been exceptions to this pattern in recent years, analysts say the current rally is being reinforced by a mix of economic and geopolitical factors.

Precious metals refiner Heraeus notes that investors increasingly see gold as a more reliable hedge against potential US policy errors than holding dollars.

The company warns that political pressure on the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates could lead to monetary missteps that amplify existing fiscal challenges.

This weakening sentiment around the dollar is also part of a broader trend. Heraeus points out that, although still as strong as in the early 2000s on a trade-weighted basis, the currency has come off its recent highs.

Trade frictions stemming from former President Donald Trump’s tariff regimes continue to weigh on global trade relations. Even if the US Supreme Court rules that Trump overreached in imposing reciprocal tariffs, concerns over protectionism and trade deficits are likely to persist, particularly with tariffs on steel, aluminium, and automotive imports remaining in place.

Gold’s rally is not just a speculative play — it is being strongly supported by central banks.

According to World Gold Council (WGC) data, global central banks have been buying gold at a near-record pace in 2025.

Major buyers such as China, Turkey, and India are adding bullion to their reserves as part of efforts to diversify away from the US dollar and strengthen their financial stability.

Heraeus expects this buying trend to continue throughout the year.

Institutional and retail investors are also contributing to the surge.

Gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw inflows of 397 t (12.3%) in the first half of the year compared with the same period in 2024.

Physical bar and coin demand climbed 6.4% year-on-year, with India and China accounting for most of the purchases. ETF managers say investors are positioning their portfolios defensively, using gold to guard against currency volatility, inflation, and recession risk.

A similar pattern is emerging in silver. Heraeus reports that the Saudi Central Bank has taken positions worth US$40.6 million in the iShares Silver Trust and Global X Silver Miners ETF, moves seen as part of a broader sovereign wealth fund diversification strategy.

Russia, meanwhile, has announced plans to acquire US$535 million worth of silver over the next three years.

This institutional interest has pushed silver above US$40/oz for the first time in 14 years, with expectations of Federal Reserve rate cuts adding further momentum.

In contrast, other precious metals were relatively stable. Platinum and palladium held firm at US$1 382/oz and $1 112/oz, respectively, while rhodium eased by US$50/oz to settle at US$7 675/oz during the same week.

The Government of Zimbabwe says it no longer views the mining sector merely as a consumer of energy. Instead, the sector has evolved into an active co-developer of the country’s energy infrastructure, investing in generation projects to secure its own operations while strengthening national and regional energy security, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

This transformation was highlighted by the Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo, during his address at the 2025 Africa Down Under Mining Conference in Perth, Australia, on Friday.

Over recent years, several leading mining companies have taken bold steps to generate their own power, insulating themselves from Zimbabwe’s decades-long power crisis, which has long challenged industrial operations.

Zimplats, for example, is rolling out a 185 MW solar power project, considered one of the largest private renewable energy initiatives in Southern Africa. Caledonia Mining’s Blanket Mine has commissioned a 12.2 MW solar plant, while Turk Mine now operates on a 4.4 MW solar farm. Beyond mining, the massive Manhize steel plant under Dinson Iron and Steel Company has developed an internal generation capacity of 50 MW, exemplifying how energy self-sufficiency is becoming a strategic priority across industries.

Minister Moyo said these projects underscore a fundamental shift in the mining sector’s role in energy development, driven by Zimbabwe’s unprecedented mining renaissance, which has sparked massive demand for power.

“This reality has redefined the relationship between mining and energy. No longer is mining simply a consumer; it is now a co-developer of energy infrastructure, investing in generation to secure operations while strengthening national and regional energy security,” he said. “These are not isolated projects; they represent a shift towards captive power generation, hybrid energy solutions, and surplus integration into the national grid.”

Minister Moyo further emphasized that Zimbabwe’s energy ambitions extend regionally through the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), which enables cross-border electricity trading.

“Energy security is no longer a national agenda; it is regional,” he said. “Zimbabwe is strengthening cross-border transmission with its neighbours, exploiting the existence of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), which is a regional electricity trading platform.”

Within this framework, mining operations can feed surplus power into the regional grid, while mineral processing plants can access reliable cross-border electricity, creating a virtuous cycle of industrial and energy development. The Government’s goal is to achieve 5,432 MW of generation capacity by 2030, including 2,640 MW from renewables, requiring a US$9 billion investment, with 70 percent expected from the private sector.

While mining-led initiatives are expanding, the Government is also pursuing a broader strategy to grow energy capacity beyond individual mining sites. This includes the Kariba Floating Solar Project, the 22 MW Pomona Waste-to-Energy Project, and large-scale solar parks in Matabeleland, Midlands, and Mashonaland West being developed by Independent Power Producers (IPPs), all designed to strengthen Zimbabwe’s renewable energy footprint.

Inviting global investors to participate, Minister Moyo highlighted opportunities ranging from captive power generation and utility-scale renewable projects to grid modernization and the development of energy-mineral industrial parks. He explained that the Government has “disaggregated” the power sector to make it more transparent and attractive to private capital, clearly defining the roles and expectations for independent power producers in generation, transmission, and distribution. Large consumers, including mining companies, can now invest in their own generation capacity and sell excess electricity back to the grid.

These reforms, supported by cost-reflective tariffs and the rollout of prepaid meters, are designed to secure revenue for the state utility, improve electricity supply, and stimulate private investment in renewable energy projects such as solar and mini-hydro. By making the energy sector more predictable and investor-friendly, Zimbabwe is positioning itself as a hub for private capital to build power plants adjacent to mines, establish beneficiation hubs near mineral deposits, and develop regional energy corridors to power industrial growth.

Through these initiatives, the country is creating a framework that not only strengthens mining operations but also integrates them into a broader regional energy strategy, offering investors access to over 300 million people through the Southern African Power Pool, backed by bankable projects and government guarantees.

Burkina Faso has moved to reassure mining investors that its revised mining stake framework is designed to build confidence and encourage long-term investment, not to discourage foreign capital, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking at a recent mining conference, Mamadou Sagnon, Director-General of the Mining Registry, clarified that the government’s intention to acquire equity in mining projects such as West African Resources’ Kiaka gold mine is grounded in a strategic approach that promotes partnership and stability in the sector.

Under the new Mining Code introduced in July 2024, the state automatically holds a 15% free-carried interest in mining projects. In addition, the government may opt to acquire up to 30% paid interest, calculated on exploration and feasibility costs rather than the mine’s overall market valuation.

Sagnon stressed that this model is not coercive. “The goal is to give the state a meaningful role in projects while ensuring investors retain operational control. This strengthens trust and shows that Burkina Faso is committed to a stable, transparent investment environment,” he said.

Burkina Faso, Africa’s fourth-largest gold producer, has been recalibrating its mining policies to increase local participation without undermining investor confidence. The creation of SOPAMIB, a state-owned holding company for mineral assets, reflects the government’s desire to structure its equity interests in a way that enhances governance and provides clarity to partners.

For the Kiaka gold project, where production began in June 2025 with an expected output of 234,000 ounces annually over 20 years, the state requested the option to increase its stake to 35%. Authorities clarified that this move is project-specific and not a blanket approach across all operations.

Mining companies have welcomed the clarification. West African Resources has confirmed that operations at Kiaka, Sanbrado, and Toega remain unaffected, while other miners, such as Orezone Gold, have reported no similar requests from the government regarding their assets.

Analysts note that the government’s messaging is intended to ensure that mining companies feel secure in continuing to commit capital, expand exploration, and develop new mines in Burkina Faso.

By positioning equity participation as a confidence-building measure, Burkina Faso is signaling that it values foreign investment and views partnership as the key to growing its resource sector.

President Ibrahim Traoré’s administration has made mineral resource governance a cornerstone of its economic policy, balancing the need for sovereignty and national benefit with a clear commitment to investor security.

Tsebo Solutions, a leading Pan-African workplace management brand, is deepening its commitment to ESG principles, playing a pivotal role in advancing sustainability across mining and industrial sectors. The brand’s focus goes beyond optimizing operational efficiency, it actively supports site decommissioning processes in mines and industrial factories. Decommissioning is not a once-off task but instead it is a structured, strategic sequence of phases. It constitutes more than simply shutting down operations. Meticulous planning is involved, thorough risk assessments and precision execution to ensure equipment is safely dismantled, environmental remediation is conducted and the site is responsibly restored.

The article highlights the pivotal role of Tsebo Zimbabwe Facilities Management in facilitating a seamless and efficient factory decommissioning process. The complexities associated with company closure were effectively mitigated through the provision of comprehensive workplace and professional support services. These included catering, cleaning, landscaping, pest control, administrative support, facilities management, disposal of company assets and document archiving. In typical factory closures, the core scope of facilities management encompassed sustainable asset disposal, data and records management, maintenance, vendor coordination, security enforcement, access control and the formal handover ensuring compliance, continuity, and environmental responsibility throughout the wind-down phase.

Decommissioning represents the final stage in the lifecycle management of a facility. Ideally, it is accounted for from the earliest phases design, construction, commissioning, operation and ensuring a strategic responsible closure. In industrial settings such as factories and mines, the decommissioning of equipment marks the foundational step in the wind-down process.

A critical and often concurrent component of this phase is the decommissioning of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure. As facilities prepare for closure, ICT systems undergo systematic data sanitization. This involves the permanent removal of data and system software from computers and electronic devices. The process is carried out by ICT specialists using certified deletion software or, where necessary, through physical destruction of storage media to ensure data confidentiality and compliance with regulatory standards.

Property valuation is typically undertaken by an internal real estate department or through engagements with third-party professionals, including estate agents, legal practitioners, and chartered surveyors. Facility managers play a critical role in ensuring that the physical infrastructure comprising land, buildings (the shell), and associated Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) services comply fully with applicable laws, regulations and industry standards.

To support this, all compliance documentation must be current and readily available. Key documents include the Certificate of Occupancy, Certificate of Electrical Compliance, floor plans, layout plans, and title deeds.

However, a significant challenge in the sale of land and buildings lies in fluctuating property values. This volatility is often linked to inadequate facility management practices and failure to consistently implement Preventative Planned Maintenance (PPM) regimes. Such shortcomings can lead to physical deterioration, regulatory non-compliance, and diminished asset appeal factors that adversely impact valuation and marketability against time of closure.

Green office decommissioning is implemented during the dismantling and removal of office equipment, emphasizing a structured approach to the resale, donation, and recycling of furniture and assets. This initiative underscores the critical role of sustainable facilities management in the decommissioning process.

Sustainable disposal practices encompasses auctioning, reuse, recycling, internal redeployment and charitable donations of office assets. The commitment to environmental responsibility is further strengthened through strategic partnerships with vendors adhering to sustainable disposal standards. In some instances, office equipment is either distributed to employees as part of staff appreciation parcels or sold at subsidized staff rates. This approach reinforces the principle of environmentally responsible and socially inclusive disposal of office infrastructure.

White boxing concept is usually applied after decommissioning of machines and ICT cables. In facilities management white boxing refers to preparing a commercial space typically retail, office, or industrial for new tenants by restoring it to a clean, neutral, and functional condition. It is more of handing over a blank canvas, ready for customization.

The final phase of facility decommissioning involves systematic management of documentation, encompassing both hard copy and digital records. For physical documents, the process may include secure shredding, data migration, traditional archiving and digital archiving to ensure preservation and compliance.

Digital or soft copy records are subject to stringent data destruction protocols designed to prevent unauthorized access. These measures typically involve certified data wiping, digital file shredding, and, where appropriate, the physical destruction of storage media. This phase is critical to safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements for data protection and privacy.

Rates clearance is done at the final stages of handover. This process includes conducting rate clearance procedures prior to the formal handover. The rate clearance procedure is a formal process typically required during property handovers or transfers, especially in countries like South Africa and Zimbabwe. A rate clearance certificate is a legal document issued by the local municipality confirming that all property rates, taxes, service fees, and levies have been paid in full. This certificate is essential for transferring property ownership, finalizing lease terminations, handing over facilities to new stakeholders.

Following the complete vacation of the premises by all employees, Facilities Management assumes responsibility for site security and access control. These functions are maintained continuously until the official handover of the building to the relevant stakeholders.

In conclusion, Tsebo Zimbabwe plays a pivotal role in  successful decommissioning of facilities, demonstrating exceptional leadership in managing a complex, multi-phase process. Through its integrated facilities management approach, the company ensures compliance with regulatory standards, implementing sustainable disposal practices, safeguarding data security and maintaining operational integrity throughout the wind-down period. From property valuation and document management to ICT decommissioning and final security oversight, Tsebo’s coordinated efforts enables a seamless transition that upholds environmental responsibility, stakeholder confidence and corporate reputation.

Chinese-owned South Mining Pvt. Ltd. has invested US$800,000 in a state-of-the-art coal wash plant in Hwange, Matabeleland North, as part of its strategy to boost high-value coking coal output and support Zimbabwe’s mineral beneficiation agenda, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The facility, designed for continuous operation, represents critical beneficiation infrastructure. It enables South Mining to produce premium-grade coking coal while also generating saleable by-products for secondary industries.

A coal wash plant—also known as a coal preparation plant (CPP)—plays a pivotal role in coal beneficiation. Using mechanical and gravimetric processes, the plant separates coal from waste rock, shale, and other impurities. Raw coal is fed into the system and processed through crushers, screens, cyclones, and flotation cells, with material classified according to size and density.

The process improves coal quality by reducing ash content and enhancing calorific value. For South Mining, it upgrades run-of-mine (ROM) coal into coking coal suitable for metallurgical use, especially in coke production for steel manufacturing.

Project Manager Donald Nkosana stressed that beneficiation is now indispensable in coal markets.

“For whatever use of coal, you need to pass it through the wash plant,” Nkosana explained. “Coking coal plants, foundries, and even certain energy facilities demand processed coal with specific parameters. This investment positions us to meet those quality requirements consistently.”

The new plant enables South Mining to produce an average of 45,000 tonnes of coking coal monthly. Operating 24 hours a day in multiple shifts, it is calibrated to process varying grades of raw coal sourced from Hwange’s coalfields.

Beyond premium coking coal, the facility also yields by-products such as middlings and fine coal slurry, which can be used in power generation and cement manufacturing. This integrated output model reduces waste while maximizing the value of every tonne mined.

The commissioning aligns with Zimbabwe’s push for mineral value addition under President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 of achieving upper-middle-income status. The government’s beneficiation policy encourages producers to invest in downstream processing that enhances economic returns, creates jobs, and reduces import dependence.

Coking coal beneficiation is of strategic importance, particularly for the steel sector. Coke is indispensable in blast furnace operations, where it acts as a reductant in iron ore smelting. A reliable domestic supply reduces Zimbabwe’s reliance on imports, strengthens its steel value chain, and allows the country to benefit from regional demand.

Nkosana noted that the company’s decision was partly inspired by the Presidential Investment Initiative launched three years ago, which has spurred several large-scale mining and energy projects.

Looking ahead, South Mining plans further upgrades, including automation of plant processes, water recycling systems, and dust suppression technology to minimize environmental impact. Additional beneficiation modules are also under consideration to produce specialized coal products for diverse industrial markets.

“We are still in the optimization phase,” Nkosana said. “The first stage is stabilizing throughput and calibrating output to meet specifications. Beyond that, we are committed to continuous improvement, with technology investment at the core of our approach.”

Hwange remains the heartbeat of Zimbabwe’s coal industry, with multiple producers engaged in both thermal and coking coal. South Mining’s new wash plant adds to the region’s growing beneficiation capacity, complementing power generation projects and steelmaking investments such as the Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO) plant in Manhize.

By supplying beneficiated coking coal, South Mining enhances Zimbabwe’s self-sufficiency in critical industrial inputs, reduces foreign currency outflows, and taps into regional markets in Zambia, the DRC, and South Africa.

Although coal faces global scrutiny under the energy transition, Zimbabwe continues to rely on it for base-load power while leveraging coking coal to drive industrial growth. South Mining has therefore adopted a dual approach—boosting productivity while implementing sustainable practices, including:

• Water recycling systems to reduce freshwater use.

• Ash management strategies to curb environmental degradation.

• Energy-efficient beneficiation equipment to lower emissions.

These measures ensure coal beneficiation remains aligned with Zimbabwe’s Just Energy Transition framework, which promotes a balanced shift to renewables while safeguarding industrial competitiveness