Mining ZimbabweLatest Mining News, Policy and Industry Updates

Mining remains a critical pillar of Zimbabwe’s economy, providing jobs, foreign currency, and local development. Yet beneath the sector’s economic contributions lie persistent environmental degradation and workplace hazards that continue to claim lives and threaten ecosystems, Mining Zimbabwe reports.

By Ryan Chigoche

Two institutions, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the National Social Security Authority (NSSA), are mandated to safeguard the environment and protect workers, but evidence suggests both are falling short of expectations.

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) plays a central regulatory role in Zimbabwe’s mining sector, mandated under the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27) to approve Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) before projects commence, monitor compliance with environmental laws and rehabilitation plans, and enforce penalties for pollution, land degradation, and unsafe waste disposal.

Over the years, EMA has made notable strides, including increasing awareness and training on EIA procedures and rehabilitation obligations, regularly issuing fines and orders to halt operations for non-compliance, and leading campaigns to curb environmentally destructive practices such as riverbed gold mining and the misuse of cyanide.

However, significant gaps remain in EMA’s enforcement capacity. For all its legal authority, EMA is failing to prevent environmental abuse in Zimbabwe’s mining sector. Rivers in Manicaland and the Midlands continue to run brown with silt and toxic effluent, a stark reminder that polluters often find it cheaper to pay fines than to comply.

Civic groups and non-governmental organisations have repeatedly documented how mining-linked pollution persists despite EMA’s orders, also noting that communities are often forced into costly litigation because administrative remedies fail to halt environmental damage.

When one looks at the environmental catastrophe unfolding in the country today, EMA is needed now more than ever. Yet what is concerning is that the agency has largely disappeared from the frontline even as the crisis escalates. Could this be a lack of resources, or is it that EMA is not receiving the necessary support to execute its mandate without fear or favour? Evidence suggests it could be both.

In response, Farai Maguwu, the Director of the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG), told Mining Zimbabwe that both factors are at play, calling for political will to capacitate and protect the agency in carrying out its mandate.

“There is need to give them the political support. Governments need to support EMA in its execution of its mandate. But there are cases where EMA officials, if they try to hold mining companies accountable, they come up against corrupt politicians who protect their operations,” Maguwu said.

“We have heard of situations where EMA officials are transferred to rural outposts if they try to challenge some mining operations done by these corrupt politicians. So I think without the political will, EMA will remain in a comatose state. Before they act, they want to know who is the politician behind this project, who is the security official behind this project. That is why EMA is now struggling to execute its mandate. There is too much political interference and there is lack of interest to ensure that EMA is delivering its mandate,” Maguwu added.

Meanwhile, despite EMA’s legal authority, riverbed mining — technically banned — continues largely unabated, highlighting the limits of the agency’s oversight. Political interference and lack of institutional support mean that even when violations are detected, enforcement is often delayed, inconsistent, or symbolic. Without stronger penalties, proactive monitoring, and transparent follow-ups on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) compliance, EMA’s efforts risk being reduced to regulatory theatre rather than meaningful protection of ecosystems.

This enforcement gap is evident in cases such as Bikita Minerals, one of Africa’s largest lithium mines, which in 2024 was fined just US$5,000 — the maximum allowable penalty under Zimbabwean law — for polluting the Matezva Dam.

Compared to the company’s US$500 million in exports that year, the fine is negligible, underscoring how weak penalties turn environmental compliance into a minor cost of doing business rather than a deterrent.

Balancing this, Batanai Mutasa, the Communications Officer at the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO) (formerly ZELA), highlighted the structural challenges facing EMA:

“While EMA demonstrates a presence on the ground through its management of the Environmental Impact Assessment process, issuance of certificates, and compliance monitoring, these efforts are critically hampered by inadequate resources. For this reason, ZELO consistently advocates for the national budget to allocate sufficient funding to enable EMA to effectively fulfil its mandate.”

He further emphasised the need to strengthen penalties to make them effective and deterrent to offenders.

“Furthermore, the penalties for non-compliance are usually not deterrent enough as offenders often view fines as merely a cost of business rather than an incentive for compliance. This fundamentally undermines EMA’s work. We therefore urgently call for a systematic review of penalties to ensure they are punitive and deter environmental violations by irresponsible mining operations,” Mutasa said.

The picture is equally troubling when it comes to worker safety. Despite its mandate, NSSA appears to have limited impact in reducing mining workplace fatalities. NSSA Acting CEO Dr. Charles Shava recently revealed that the sector records over 200 deaths annually — a figure he cautions may be understated by up to threefold.

While NSSA administers compensation through the Workers’ Compensation Scheme and has launched initiatives such as the Vision Zero campaign and mobile clinics offering health surveillance for miners, its approach remains largely reactive. Dr. Shava has acknowledged that NSSA lacks authority to prevent accidents, a responsibility resting with the Ministry of Mines.

Civil society organisations, including CNRG, have raised alarms over deteriorating occupational health and safety standards, calling for tougher penalties and even licence withdrawal for repeat offenders.

Together, EMA and NSSA are meant to act as the twin guardians of Zimbabwe’s mining sector, ensuring that economic gains do not come at the expense of the environment or human life.

Without stronger enforcement, higher penalties, proactive monitoring, and robust inter-agency collaboration, the country risks perpetuating a mining system that benefits profits while neglecting people and the planet. Zimbabwe cannot afford regulatory agencies that only respond after the damage is done.

With less than two weeks until the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI) 2025 kicks off, the focus is sharp on the next generation of industry leaders. The event will begin on 15 September with the ZAMI Youth Symposium, a platform designed for and by young people, underscoring their critical role in shaping a fair and sustainable mining sector.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

This year’s theme, “Empowering Youth for a Just and Sustainable Mining Future: Driving Inclusive Growth in the Just Energy Transition,” builds directly on the momentum from the 2024 symposium, where participants demanded greater youth involvement in mining governance and policy-making.

The 2025 gathering is set to move from dialogue to action, focusing on the tangible role of youth in the mining sector’s transition to greener energy. Central to this effort is the #ZELO youth network, which has declared its readiness to confront the structural and economic barriers that have long limited young people’s participation across the mining value chain—from exploration and extraction to processing and governance.

“Are you ready?” the network’s message challenges, signaling a determined call to action directed at industry stakeholders, policymakers, and fellow young professionals.

The symposium arrives at a crucial time for Zimbabwe’s mining industry, which is simultaneously pursuing modern investment and stricter environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Integrating youth perspectives is increasingly seen not as optional, but as essential to ensuring the energy transition is both just and inclusive.

As ZAMI 2025 approaches, the question for established players is clear: Is the industry prepared to not only listen to youth voices but also to hand them the tools to help build mining’s future?

Exploration Holds Zimbabwe’s Greatest Investment Promise, Says Chitando

The Government of Zimbabwe has identified mineral exploration as one of the country’s most promising investment opportunities, urging foreign investors to tap into underexplored mineral resources, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

This message was reiterated by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Winston Chitando, at the ongoing Africa Down Under conference in Perth, Australia.

Over the years, Zimbabwe has positioned itself as a prime destination for mining investment, highlighting the vast untapped potential of its mineral resources. While the country has over 60 recorded minerals, only a fraction are actively mined, largely because much of the exploration has historically been limited and relied on outdated techniques. This creates considerable scope for growth in the mining portfolio for investors equipped with modern exploration tools.

Speaking at the conference, Chitando highlighted that exploration offers the biggest opportunity for investors seeking substantial returns.

“One of the biggest opportunities in the country lies in exploration. Yes, we have over 60 recorded minerals, but only about 10 are actively mined because we have not carried out sufficient exploration to a level where we can fully unlock the potential of our mineral endowments. Most of the exploration was done in the 1960s, using techniques that are now outdated.

“This creates a significant opportunity. We can provide geological maps, but as investors conduct modern exploration, they will likely discover completely new indicators of potential. That is why we see exploration as one of the biggest opportunities for those with the appetite to take it on, and for those willing to invest in capital uplift. For investors seeking substantial returns, exploration is the key — and remember, you are investing in an environment that is tried and tested,” he added.

Chitando’s remarks come amid broader government efforts to modernize exploration.

Just weeks ago, Finance and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube announced a nationwide airborne geophysical survey in the 2026 Budget Strategy Paper — a landmark initiative designed to improve understanding of Zimbabwe’s mineral resource base and reduce exploration risks.

Historically, Zimbabwe’s exploration spending has been less than 1% of mining budgets, compared to a global benchmark of about 10%, leaving much of the country’s mineral wealth untested.

Industry bodies, including the Geological Society of Zimbabwe, have long called for more exploration licences and greater use of modern technologies such as remote sensing, drone mapping, and AI-assisted prospecting.

The latest government initiatives aim to address these gaps, signaling a renewed push to unlock Zimbabwe’s mineral potential.

With modern exploration tools, upgraded laboratory capacity, and government-backed surveys, investors now have an opportunity to discover new deposits and expand Zimbabwe’s mining portfolio, reinforcing the country’s position as a competitive destination for mineral investment.

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon. Winston Chitando, and Tafadzwa Chinamo, CEO of the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), are set to headline an investment forum on the sidelines of the flagship Africa Down Under (ADU) conference in Perth this Thursday, aiming to lure Australian capital to the southern African nation’s burgeoning mining sector, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

They will be joined by Ben Turney, CEO of London-listed Kavango Resources PLC (LSE:KAV), who will provide a boots-on-the-ground perspective of the opportunity, framing Zimbabwe as a new frontier for exploration and production.

The event, “Mine to Market, Unlocking Zimbabwe’s Mining Value Chain Potential,” comes as Harare intensifies its efforts to attract foreign investment to modernize its mining industry, a critical engine for its economic growth ambitions.

The forum’s pitch hinges on a compelling narrative of untapped potential, a message recently echoed by industry observers. Scott North, a corporate development strategist, drew a direct parallel to historically prolific gold regions, suggesting Zimbabwe presents a rare first-mover advantage.

“Imagine the WA goldfields 70 years ago—before modern mechanized mining,” North stated in a social media post. “Imagine entire gold belts underexplored, with the opportunity to consolidate them. That’s the opportunity Kavango Resources has in Zimbabwe right now: a genuine first-mover position in a country that has seen little modern exploration.”

North’s comments underscore a growing sentiment among a cohort of junior miners that Zimbabwe, often overlooked due to past political risk, now offers some of the most promising and undervalued geology accessible to foreign firms.

Turney’s Kavango is at the forefront of this movement. After spending time with Turney in Perth, North said he is “convinced they are building a serious gold producer,” signaling strong confidence in both the company’s strategy and the jurisdiction’s potential.

The Perth forum represents a strategic move by Zimbabwean officials to directly engage with the deep-pocketed and technically sophisticated Australian mining community. Minister Chitando is expected to outline policy reforms and development plans, while Chinamo will detail the streamlined investment processes under ZIDA, designed to fast-track project approvals.

For Australian miners and financiers, the message will be clear: Zimbabwe is open for business, and the early movers, as history shows in mining, stand to gain the most.

The investment breakfast will be held at the Novotel Perth Langley Hotel on September 4, 2025, from 09:30 to 12:30 AWST.

African nations are signalling to Australia that they are open for strategic partnerships aimed at capturing greater value from the continent’s mineral wealth. Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Australia, Joe Tapera Mhishi, says aligning foreign investment with local industrialisation is now a priority.

By Ryan Chigoche

Speaking at the Africa Down Under conference in Australia, Mhishi highlighted Africa’s renewed focus on value addition, a trend reinforced by rising resource nationalism.

“The subject of value addition across Africa, not only in mining but in many other sectors, has gained credence,” he said. “Africa says we are there to play with you, to add value to that vision … if we can also address value addition in our respective jurisdictions,” Mhishi said.

Across the continent, new mining codes are giving governments stronger regulatory control, higher taxes, and stricter local content requirements.

West Africa, for example, has seen several regulatory reforms designed to ensure that mineral exports translate into domestic economic benefits.

Analysts say Africa’s critical minerals sector offers immense opportunities for investors willing to engage in downstream processing.

The global push for the energy transition is driving a scramble for these minerals, and African countries are increasingly focused on capturing more of that value domestically.

This makes partnerships with countries like Australia, which has deep expertise in mining and processing, particularly attractive.

Projects like Guinea’s Simandou iron-ore venture and Ghana’s planned lithium mines demonstrate both the scale of investment potential and the possibility for local industrialisation.

Several African countries beyond the DRC—including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Ghana, and Mali—host lithium resources at various stages of development, positioning the continent as a key player in the global minerals supply chain.

These developments signal that Africa is seeking to capture more value within its borders while remaining attractive to foreign investors.

Governments, investors, and local communities are increasingly emphasising collaboration and shared value as key to unlocking Africa’s resource potential.

Strategic partnerships, particularly with countries like Australia, are seen as crucial to moving the continent beyond exporting raw materials toward fully integrated value chains.

AIM-listed mining and exploration junior, Premier African Minerals Limited, has confirmed the resignation of its long-serving Chief Executive Officer, George Roach, and the appointment of mining veteran Graham Hill as an executive director with immediate effect, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The announcement formalises a transition that began in May 2025 with the termination of Roach’s consultancy agreement and his role as CEO, followed by Hill’s appointment as Managing Director in June. The leadership handover now comes at a critical juncture for Premier, which is struggling with mounting debts while advancing its flagship Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project in Fort Rixon.

For years, Roach was the face of Premier, steering the company through exploration, securing key partnerships, and pushing Zulu into early production. However, his leadership was also clouded by operational delays, ballooning liabilities, and shareholder frustration.

Premier’s precarious finances became a flashpoint earlier this year, with group liabilities swelling beyond US$64 million, including US$46.3 million owed to Canmax Technologies under the offtake and prepayment agreement. Shareholders voiced deep scepticism about Premier’s future, with one commenting: “$10M market cap, $64M debt, impossible for this to end well for shareholders, new or old.” Others questioned the legality of unpaid obligations, including US$17 million in salaries, declaring “the game is truly up.”

Against this backdrop, Roach’s exit marks the end of an era in which he embodied both Premier’s ambition and its instability. Replacing Roach is Graham Hill, 67, a qualified mechanical engineer with over 40 years of mine development and management experience across Africa, Europe, Russia, and Central Asia. Hill previously held senior positions at Anglo American, Oxus Gold, and Axmin, and most recently served as Chief Operating Officer of Adriatic Metals PLC, where he oversaw development of the Vares Project in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Welcoming his appointment, Premier Chairman Godfrey Manhambara said: “Graham has wide experience that has direct relevance to our operations, and we welcome him to the Board.”

Hill is expected to stabilise operations at Zulu, optimise the flotation plant, and rebuild credibility with financiers and shareholders.

The leadership change coincides with a significant financial restructuring. Premier recently confirmed that Canmax Technologies has moved to convert outstanding debts into equity, increasing its stake in the company. The move has been widely interpreted as Canmax tightening its grip on Premier and the Zulu project, cementing its role not only as offtake partner but also as a major shareholder with direct influence over the company’s future.

For some stakeholders, this signals both a lifeline and a loss of autonomy. While Canmax’s conversion eases immediate pressure on Premier’s balance sheet, it underscores how far control has shifted from Harare to Beijing. Shareholders who once placed faith in Roach’s leadership are now looking to Hill to navigate this new reality, balancing operational delivery with the expectations of a dominant partner.

Roach’s exit, Hill’s appointment, and Canmax’s increasing presence together mark a turning point for Premier African Minerals. From a company once defined by its charismatic founder and bold promises, Premier is now under pressure to deliver stability, consistency, and sustainable shareholder value in a market where lithium demand remains strong but investor patience has worn thin.

The next phase will be closely watched by investors, creditors, and Zimbabwe’s mining sector alike: Can Hill stabilise Zulu and restore confidence, or will Premier’s future be further absorbed into Canmax’s strategic ambitions?

(Geneva) – Blessing Hungwe, a Zimbabwean gold miner and industry advocate, used a keynote address at the World Resources Forum to challenge global policymakers and investors to direct capital and formalisation efforts toward women in artisanal mining, a key source of bullion for the southern African nation.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Her call to action coincided with the announcement of a renewed US$100,000 grant from the UK Embassy to the Zimbabwe Association of Women in Mining (ZAWIMA), which Hungwe leads as patron. The funding is targeted at improving health and safety standards for a segment that accounts for a significant portion of Zimbabwe’s gold output but operates largely in the informal economy.

“Sustainable mining cannot afford to overlook ASM. With growing poverty, unemployment, and climate change, the sector presents a lifeline. Women must be supported, not sidelined,” Hungwe told delegates in Geneva, placing the issue on the international agenda.

The artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector is a critical, yet volatile, component of Zimbabwe’s economy. It contributes over 60% of the nation’s annual gold production, a key source of foreign currency, but struggles with regulation, safety, and access to formal finance.

Hungwe, who transitioned from reprocessing ore scraps to operating a mechanised mine, highlighted the systemic barriers. She cited Fidelity Gold Refinery’s loan scheme for women as an example of well-intentioned initiatives hampered by a fundamental lack of tenure security, which prevents women from using mining claims as collateral.

“For many, ASM is the only means of survival, feeding families, paying school fees,” Hungwe said. “But to fully benefit, women miners must be supported with access to claims, finance, skills, equipment, and proper markets.”

The UK grant renewal signals continued international interest in formalising Zimbabwe’s ASM sector to stabilise production and improve environmental and social governance (ESG) standards. The funds will support ZAWIMA initiatives, including a partnership with the International Labour Organisation on a gold milling plant in Guruve and safety training.

A tangible shift is already underway. Hungwe noted that Fidelity Gold Refinery, the state-owned buyer, lowered its delivery threshold for its incentive scheme from 20kg to 0.5kg, a move that directly enables more small-scale women miners to participate.

The push for formalisation comes as President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government seeks to boost mineral exports. Integrating hundreds of thousands of artisanal miners, particularly women, into the regulated economy is seen as essential to mitigating economic instability and unlocking further production growth.

Hungwe’s own story underscores the potential return on investment. She detailed how professionalising her operations, an effort aided by her mining engineer son, quadrupled production, a case study in the efficiency gains possible with greater access to capital and expertise.

The Gwanda Magistrates’ Court has sentenced three individuals, including two women, to four years in prison each following their conviction for armed robbery at Freda Mine, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The convicted trio were identified as Conilias Ndlovu (36), an unemployed man from Mahoho Village, Mberengwa, Junior Sibanda (18), a woman also from Mahoho Village, Mberengwa, and Renika Takaruva (28), a woman from Manyungu Village, Chief Chipindu, Chivi.

The court heard that on the night of August 10, 2025, the three, along with other accomplices who remain at large, raided the Freda Mine. Ndlovu was armed with a sjambok, while the unidentified accomplices carried an axe and a shovel. During the attack, a miner, who was the complainant, was struck on the head with a shovel before the gang fled the scene.

The stolen property, valued at US$300, included gold ore, a 100-watt solar panel, a small radio, a shovel, and a cellphone.

Police acted swiftly, arresting Ndlovu, Sibanda, and Takaruva. Authorities also managed to recover US$150 worth of the stolen property.

The three have since been jailed, and a manhunt is underway for the other suspects involved in the robbery.