Mining ZimbabweLatest Mining News, Policy and Industry Updates

Zimbabwe’s Platinum Group Metals (PGM) sector is expected to recover next year, with production forecast to rise by 4% in 2026 after an estimated -2.5% decline in 2025, according to a new survey by the Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe.

By Ryan Chigoche

According to industry chiefs, the rebound will be driven mainly by the recovery in platinum prices and efficiency gains across PGM producers, helping boost both platinum and palladium output.

The improved outlook comes as global PGM prices continue to strengthen. The average PGM basket price has climbed to about US$1,916 per ounce — a 30% increase from the same period last year and the highest level since early 2023.

This surge has been supported by a weaker US dollar, resilient industrial demand from China, and renewed investor interest amid persistent inflation and geopolitical uncertainty.

Platinum remains well supported by ongoing demand for internal combustion engine catalysts in major markets such as China and India. At the same time, palladium and rhodium continue to shift toward hybrid and electric vehicle technologies, shaping future demand patterns across global PGM markets.

As was the case in 2025 and 2024, the Chamber’s survey findings showed that capacity utilisation in the PGM sector is expected to remain at full capacity (100%) in 2026.

Producers believe they can maintain this level provided the price recovery continues and operating conditions do not worsen.

However, the Chamber also warned that several risks could undermine the sector’s positive momentum. One of the most pressing challenges is the delayed payment of the surrender portion of export proceeds.

All platinum producers reported that they are facing viability and operational challenges as a result of these delays, effectively running on only 70% of their revenue. Some producers indicated that they have already deferred capital projects because of cash flow constraints.

Power supply remains another significant concern. All producers said they continue to face unstable electricity supply, leading to frequent outages. Smelting operations — which require constant and reliable power — have been the most adversely affected, raising the cost of maintaining stable production.

Cost pressures are also being worsened by Zimbabwe’s fiscal regime. Producers argued that the current 7% royalty on platinum is high and adds to the sector’s already heavy cost structure. Their concerns have grown following additional fiscal measures introduced in the 2026 national budget, which they fear will place further strain on operations.

Although rising global prices offer some relief, the Chamber of Mines cautioned that the recovery may provide only partial benefits.

High operating costs, fiscal pressures, energy constraints, and declining production levels mean that not all producers will be able to capitalise fully on the stronger price environment. Mines grappling with low grades or bottlenecks are especially vulnerable, as escalating costs continue to erode their margins even in a rising-price market.

Overall, while the sector is set for a technical rebound in 2026, its ability to translate higher global prices into improved profitability will depend heavily on addressing the domestic challenges that continue to weigh on Zimbabwe’s PGM industry.

Zimbabwe’s mining industry has recorded a significant improvement in safety performance in 2025, with new data pointing to a sharp 25% decline in fatal accidents across the sector, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

The findings are significant as they come at a time when mining companies across the country are intensifying their push toward a zero-harm working environment.

However, the latest findings also reveal that small-scale and illegal mining operations remain the dominant source of fatalities, highlighting an ongoing safety crisis at the lower end of the industry.

According to the Chamber of Mines’ 2025 State of the Mining Industry Survey, fatal accidents fell by 25% in the first ten months of the year. A total of 89 fatal incidents were reported between January and October, compared to 118 over the same period in 2024. This positive trend is mirrored in the number of deaths, which declined from 147 in 2024 to 112 in 2025—a 24% reduction.

Despite this progress, the underlying distribution of fatalities shows that the most hazardous conditions remain unchanged. Small-scale and illegal mining operations continue to account for the vast majority of accidents, contributing 88% of both fatal incidents and deaths, just as they did in 2024. Large-scale mines, by contrast, recorded only 11 fatal accidents, resulting in 13 deaths over the same period.

The causes of these incidents also follow a familiar pattern. Falls of ground (FoG) remain the leading cause of fatal accidents, responsible for 39% of deaths in 2025. Shaft-related incidents contributed 21%, while accidents involving falls from excavations accounted for 11%. Machinery-related accidents made up a further 10%. Combined, these four categories explain 81% of all fatal accidents reported this year, underscoring long-standing structural and operational vulnerabilities within the sector.

Industry stakeholders say the improvement in overall safety is partly a result of intensified safety interventions. Since early 2024, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has rolled out extensive safety, health and environmental awareness campaigns aimed particularly at artisanal and small-scale miners. These programmes are designed to address unsafe practices and promote more sustainable mining methods.

Complementing government efforts, the Chamber of Mines has continued implementing broad sector-wide initiatives such as mine rescue and first-aid competitions, along with ongoing Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) programmes. These initiatives aim to strengthen emergency preparedness and entrench a safety-first culture across mining operations.

However, with small-scale and illegal mines still accounting for the overwhelming majority of deaths, industry leaders warn that training and awareness alone will not be enough. They argue that the latest statistics highlight the need for deeper formalisation of informal mining, stronger compliance monitoring and increased investment in basic safety infrastructure.

As the industry reflects on the year’s progress, the 2025 data offers a mixed picture: while mining is becoming safer overall, Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable miners continue to face heightened risks—a challenge that remains at the centre of the country’s mining safety agenda.

The Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon. Winston Chitando, has issued a stern nationwide advisory to all miners, imploring extreme caution following the onset of the life-threatening rainy season, a directive issued after some miners have already lost their lives to flooding-related incidents this season, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking to the media today, Minister Chitando emphasised that the seasonal rains dramatically elevate risks in mining operations, transforming pits and shafts into potential death traps. The Ministry highlighted acute dangers including sudden shaft flooding, ground collapses, slimes dam breaches, and drowning.

“The onset of the rainy season brings with it grave dangers and risks that are a threat to lives and potential loss of equipment,” stated Minister Chitando. “Regrettably, we have already lost lives this rainy season due to flooding—something that could have been avoided.”

The Minister outlined non-negotiable safety protocols for all mining sectors, from large-scale operations to artisanal miners. Key directives include:

• An immediate cessation of work in or near waterways and low-lying areas prone to flooding.

• A complete ban on the highly dangerous practice of “pillar robbing” underground, which destabilises mine structures.

• Avoiding excavation or blasting in old, water-logged mine workings where ground stability is compromised.

• The imperative is to conduct thorough risk assessments before any underground entry and to halt all operations if threats are identified.

The statement underscored a fundamental principle in the face of economic pressure: “Let us remember that human life is by far worth more than any mineral, so let’s preserve it.”

The Ministry’s advisory also calls for full cooperation with government authorities on the ground, signalling that inspections and enforcement of safety measures will be intensified during this high-risk period. Miners are urged to prioritise safety protocols, including diverting free-flowing water from work sites, to prevent further avoidable tragedies.

The Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon. Winston Chitando, has provided detailed clarity on the established legal mechanisms that ensure mining operations directly contribute to the communities where they operate, focusing on the long-standing system of local levies managed by Rural District Councils (RDCs), Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

During a recent briefing, Minister Chitando underscored that the framework is not new legislation but the functioning of existing laws designed to channel mining revenues into local roads, clinics, and water projects.

“The fact of the matter is each and every mining operation is obligated through the various Rural District Councils to pay a fee to the community through the Rural District Council,” stated Minister Chitando. “So there is provision in the law.”

The minister detailed a clear, multi-step process grounded in two key pieces of legislation: the Mines and Minerals Act and the Rural District Councils Act. This process is designed to be community-led and transparent.

1. Identification of Local Needs: The onus is on each RDC to consult with its residents and determine priority projects. “The onus is on the Rural District Council to say which clinics, which roads, which water interventions are required,” the minister explained.

2. Proposal and Public Consultation: The RDC drafts a proposal for the specific levies on mining operations to fund these projects. These proposals are then posted publicly for community input, ensuring local voices guide the budgeting.

3. Central Government Approval: The council’s final budget and levy rates are forwarded to the Minister of Local Government for authorization. Once approved, the RDC can formally collect the stipulated levies from all mining entities within its district.

4. Implementation and Additional Contribution: With funds collected, the RDC finances the approved community projects. Minister Chitando also noted that mining companies are encouraged to contribute “over and above” these statutory obligations through voluntary corporate social investment programs.

The minister’s clarification emphasizes a structured, lawful channel for community benefit-sharing. This focus on transparent local investment aligns with broader governmental goals to ensure the mining sector contributes equitably and supports sustainable development in host regions.

The effectiveness of such systems depends heavily on consistent implementation and transparent reporting. Experiences in other resource-rich countries highlight the challenges. For instance, in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), audits of a similar community fund mechanism revealed significant gaps, where underreported mining revenues led to tens of millions of dollars not reaching intended local development projects.

Minister Chitando’s detailed public explanation of the RDC levy process is seen as a step toward reinforcing accountability and public understanding of how mineral wealth is meant to translate into direct, local gain. “What is required is working with our colleagues… to ensure that it is actually happening in an efficient manner,” he concluded.

The success of this established system continues to be measured by the tangible improvements in infrastructure and quality of life within Zimbabwe’s mining communities.

The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) has outlined a new five-year plan aimed at strengthening the country’s investment pipeline and improving policy predictability, having overseen a surge in investments since its inception, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

As ZIDA enters its next five-year cycle, its performance since inception provides the backdrop for the reforms now underway. In its first phase, the Agency built an investor-centred framework designed to ease administrative bottlenecks and improve inter-government coordination.

It expanded the One-Stop Investment Services Centre, streamlined procedures across mining, energy, manufacturing, agriculture, ICT, and tourism, and ramped up international promotion through missions to London, Beijing, Dubai, and Perth. These institutional gains, Chinamo said, now anchor ZIDA’s next strategic phase.

Speaking at the Annual Investor Cocktail in Harare, ZIDA chief executive Tafadzwa Chinamo said the next phase of the Agency’s work will prioritise preserving the gains already made while enhancing competitiveness, regulatory clarity, and service delivery efficiency across all major sectors of the economy.

“Our philosophy remains simple: investors are partners, not transactions. Over the past year, we have improved licensing turnaround times, enhanced aftercare services, deepened policy dialogue, and maintained transparent communication. Sector-focused promotion has also unlocked new partnerships and reinvestments, reinforcing our commitment to clarity, certainty, and accountability. Looking ahead, ZIDA’s Five-Point Plan will focus on strengthening the investment pipeline, fostering a predictable policy environment, enhancing competitiveness, improving service delivery efficiency, and reinforcing our internal systems to ensure operational excellence,” Chinamo said.

ZIDA’s Priorities for the Next Five Years

Chinamo said the Agency’s new Five-Point Plan will guide operations to 2030 and is centred on strengthening the investment pipeline, promoting a predictable policy environment, enhancing national competitiveness, improving service delivery, and reinforcing internal systems.

He added that these measures are aimed at supporting growth in sectors with the highest impact potential, including mining, energy, manufacturing, and agriculture.

The launch of the new strategic plan comes as investment momentum continues to build in 2025, driven largely by activity in the mining and energy sectors. In the third quarter, Zimbabwe recorded US$3.26 billion in projected investment commitments. Financial services led with US$2.15 billion, followed by energy at US$543 million, while mining attracted US$379 million. Manufacturing contributed US$120 million, mainly from retooling and value-addition initiatives.

ZIDA’s reform efforts have also been supported by global institutions. Through UNCTAD, the Agency launched the e-Regulations Portal to improve access to transparent procedural information. Collaboration with the IFC and World Bank has strengthened the Special Economic Zones framework and enhanced investment promotion capacity.

The Agency continues to work with Afreximbank and the AfDB on regional integration initiatives, while partnerships with UNDP and WFP support inclusive and sustainable development programmes.

Chinamo said the next five years will focus on consolidating gains made since the Agency’s formation while accelerating reforms that provide clarity and certainty for investors across key sectors.

Zimbabwe risks missing out on a mining boom due to low investment in exploration, industry experts warn. With gold prices at a 20–30-year high and deposits still shallow, the country may fail to attract significant foreign investment, potentially leaving valuable mineral wealth untapped, Mining Zimbabwe reports.

By Ryan Chigoche

Global data highlights the scale of the problem. In 2024, Canada invested roughly US$2.5 billion in exploration, about 20% of global spending, while Zimbabwe spent only US$11 million, representing less than 0.2% of the global total and 2% of Africa’s exploration budget.

Even when unreported expenditures are considered, Zimbabwe remains far behind other jurisdictions actively courting global mining capital.

The Ernst & Young 2026 Top 10 Risks and Opportunities report ranks resources and reserves fourth, signaling global concern over declining reserves and insufficient exploration.

This ranking underscores the importance of exploration as a central factor in attracting investment and sustaining mining growth.

Central to Zimbabwe’s mining challenge is the need for reliable geological data and transparent reporting, which are essential to attract meaningful investment, according to Ernst & Young.

Misleading or incomplete exploration results can erode investor confidence, as seen in historical cases like the Bre-X scandal.

With systematic exploration having declined since the mid-1990s, adopting internationally aligned standards such as CRIRSCO is critical. Even modest increases in credible exploration could significantly boost Zimbabwe’s appeal to global investors.

Speaking at a recent event in the capital, Eng. Godknows Njowa, a Partner at Ernst & Young, said documenting and communicating findings properly is key, calling for increased exploration.

“Once we understand the geology, we need to be able to convey the same message to investors… you need to use the industry reporting standards to be able to convey what we have found, what we expect, and how we have done it. Exploration is not just about finding minerals — it’s about building the geological understanding that underpins the entire mining operation. Once that knowledge is properly documented and reported according to international standards, investment will follow,” he said.

His remarks underscore why exploration is central to any sustainable mining strategy.

Most global exploration funding is directed toward existing mines or feasibility studies on known deposits, leaving only 22% allocated to new greenfield projects. This trend is mirrored in Zimbabwe, where underinvestment in greenfield exploration limits the country’s potential to discover new deposits and fully develop its mineral wealth.

Over the past two decades, commodity price fluctuations have shaped mining strategies worldwide.

Rising prices increased resource nationalism, as governments sought to maximize benefits from mineral wealth. Conversely, during low-price periods, mining companies focused on cost-cutting, productivity improvements, and technology adoption.

Throughout these cycles, workforce skill shortages and capital allocation challenges have remained persistent pressures for the sector.

Recent global disruptions, including COVID-19 and geopolitical tensions, have further reshaped the investment landscape.

Mining companies are increasingly prioritising long-term growth, making licensing, productivity, capital allocation, and resource and reserve management central to strategic planning.

This global context highlights the urgency for Zimbabwe to strengthen its exploration and reporting practices.

Within Africa, exploration spending is concentrated in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Zimbabwe accounts for only 2% of the continent’s exploration budget, underscoring the need for strategic investment to remain competitive in attracting global mining capital.

Eng. Njowa emphasised the urgency of action, linking Zimbabwe’s opportunity to current market conditions:

“For gold, this is our time. Prices are at their highest in decades, and our deposits are still shallow. If we don’t act now, we risk missing this generation’s opportunity.”

Experts say Zimbabwe could attract global investment by aligning with international reporting standards such as CRIRSCO, following industry best practices, and increasing geological and greenfield exploration.

Proper exploration would also address the threats highlighted in EY’s Top 10 Risks report, transforming potential risks into actionable opportunities for growth.

Without immediate action, Zimbabwe risks losing ground to better-prepared mining jurisdictions. Targeted exploration, proper capital allocation, transparent reporting, and adherence to international standards are essential for unlocking the country’s mineral wealth and driving sustainable economic growth.