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Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO) has issued a clarion call for mining communities, civil society, industry players, and government bodies to actively prepare for upcoming public consultations on two critical pieces of legislation: the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill and the Climate Change Management Bill, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

In a comprehensive address at the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI), Mutuso Dhliwayo, the Director of ZELO, framed these legislative instruments not merely as policy updates but as a potential historic turning point for natural resource governance in Zimbabwe.

His speech moved the national conversation beyond the oft-cited “resource curse” narrative, arguing that the real deficit lies not in the ground but in the frameworks designed to manage what is extracted from it. “When you talk about natural resources, there is this common talk about natural resource gaps,” Dhliwayo stated, “but we as lawyers actually talk about the gaps of poor laws and policies, and the lack of effective implementation. We think that there is a bigger gap than there is in the natural resource gap.”

A Legacy of Advocacy and a Strategic Passing of the Baton

Dhliwayo’s address was steeped in the weight of nearly two decades of advocacy. He grounded his authority in a long-term perspective, noting he has been working on mining sector reform since 2007. “I don’t know how many ministers I’ve seen or worked with, permanent secretaries, including Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committees for Mines and Energy, and of course CEOs of the Chamber of Mines,” he reflected, painting a picture of a persistent struggle for reform across multiple political and industry leadership cycles.

This extensive experience informed a significant and deliberate strategic shift. Declaring that he would no longer play a “frontline role” in the detailed advocacy for the Mines Bill, Dhliwayo announced his intention to create space for a new generation. “I’ve decided to give this space to young people that may also come up with innovative ideas to make sure that this view… there is a commitment from future leaders,” he explained. This move signals a maturation of the civil society movement, focusing on sustainability and leadership development to ensure the fight for equitable resource governance continues beyond its founding figures. It is a testament to his belief that the future of this reform lies in the hands of “young people that are now driving this process.”

Imminent Parliamentary Process: A Call to Action

The core of Dhliwayo’s message was an urgent alert to all stakeholders. He shared crucial intelligence indicating that the legislative process is moving from deliberation to action. “We are told that the public hearings are going to commence very soon, that’s the intelligence that I have, that I’m sharing with you,” he revealed. This transformed the ZAMI session from a general discussion into a strategic briefing.

He explicitly outlined the dual objective of the meeting: “The first one is to prepare the Mines Bill and the Climate Change Bill for stakeholders… The second one is to help communities and other stakeholders identify the gaps that are there.” He emphasised that “stakeholders” is a broad term, encompassing not just community-based organisations but also parliamentarians, private sector miners, and artisanal small-scale miners. This inclusive approach underscores the fact that effective legislation requires buy-in and input from all parties affected by and involved in the mining sector.

A Preliminary Appraisal: Cautious Optimism for the Mines Bill

While maintaining a neutral, facilitative stance, Dhliwayo offered a preliminary and generally positive appraisal of the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill. Based on a preliminary review, he identified several provisions that align with long-standing advocacy positions of ZELA and its partners, viewing them as significant victories for progressive governance.

He highlighted several key areas of alignment:

1. Community Participation: For years, a central demand has been the meaningful involvement of communities in decisions about mining projects that affect their land and livelihoods. Dhliwayo noted, “We see some provisions there that relate to community participation.” This suggests the bill may incorporate requirements for Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) or stronger consultation mechanisms, though the devil will be in the legislative details.

2. Environmental and Social Governance (ESG): The integration of robust ESG principles into mining operations is a global imperative. Dhliwayo acknowledged seeing “some very positive provisions there” related to ESG, which could include mandatory environmental impact assessments, social plans, and clearer guidelines for investor conduct.

3. Environmental Protection and EMA Collaboration: As an environmental law organisation, this is at the heart of ZELA’s mission. Dhliwayo expressed encouragement, stating, “Environmental protection, which is at the core of our work as an organisation, and collaboration with environmental management agents. I see some very important provisions there.” This points to a potential strengthening of the Environmental Management Agency’s (EMA) mandate and its role in monitoring and enforcing compliance within the mining sector.

4. Transparency and Accountability: These are foundational to combating corruption and ensuring that mineral revenues benefit the nation. Dhliwayo simply noted, “They are also there,” indicating that the bill addresses these crucial issues, possibly through requirements for public disclosure of contracts, payments, and licensing.

“So the thing is that at least this bill is moving in the right direction,” Dhliwayo concluded, offering a measured endorsement. However, his tone made it clear that this is the starting point for consultation, not the finish line. The objective now is to ensure these provisions are not diluted and are made as strong and enforceable as possible.

Synergy with Broader Reforms and Constitutional Alignment

Dhliwayo strategically positioned these bills within a wider ecosystem of ongoing governmental reforms. He specifically mentioned “serious conversations regarding the establishment of specialised courts, or environmental courts, based on the Environmental Management Agency strategy.” By doing so, he illustrated how the Mines Bill and Climate Change Bill could synergise with other initiatives, creating a comprehensive and interlocking system of accountability where specialised legislation is enforced by specialised judiciary bodies.

Furthermore, he anchored the entire reform agenda in the supreme law of the land—the Constitution of Zimbabwe. He invoked Section 13, which speaks to equitable regional development and the devolution of power, and Section 73, which enshrines the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. “It is through those conversations, through dialogue, that we are able to address those [challenges], and make sure that the provisions that are there in the Constitution of Zimbabwe… are actually going to be fulfilled,” he stated. This framing elevates the legislative process from a mere policy adjustment to a constitutional imperative, arguing that these bills are necessary to realize the promises made to the Zimbabwean people.

The Work Begins Now

Mutuso Dhliwayo’s address at ZAMI was a masterclass in strategic advocacy. It was simultaneously a reflection on a long journey, a passing of the torch, a tactical alert, and a rallying cry. By affirming that the bills are “moving in the right direction,” he provided a basis for constructive engagement rather than outright opposition. By revealing the imminence of public hearings, he created a sense of urgency and purpose. And by framing the debate within the context of constitutional rights and broader judicial reforms, he established a high-stakes platform for the coming discussions.

The message to every community monitor, every artisanal miner, every parliamentarian, and every industry leader in the room was clear: the theoretical debate is over. The text of the proposed laws is taking shape. The time for preparation is now. The hard work of scrutinising every clause, identifying every loophole, and advocating for the most robust, equitable, and enforceable legislation possible is about to begin. The success of this long-awaited reform will depend on the ability of all stakeholders to heed this call and engage meaningfully in the democratic process that lies ahead.

In an endeavour to unpack Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth, its role in the global green energy transition, and the enduring socio-economic paradox of resource abundance, Professor Tumai Murombo delivered a keynote that was as sobering as it was provocative at the 14th Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI) 2025 in Bulawayo. The event brought together government ministers, traditional leaders, civil society actors, clergy, and mining communities under the banner: “From Extraction to Sustainable Development: Unlocking Zimbabwe’s Mineral Wealth for Inclusive Growth in the Just Energy Transition.”

What unfolded over a 20-minute keynote was not a conventional celebration of minerals, investment, or national pride. Instead, Prof. Murombo presented a deeply analytical, historically informed critique of the structural, political, and environmental forces that have shaped Zimbabwe’s mining sector for over a millennium. His thesis was clear: the nation’s critical minerals, while globally sought after, have historically functioned more as a curse than a blessing.

Defining Critical Minerals: Wealth or Strategic Commodity?

Critical minerals are substances deemed essential for modern technology, energy security, and industrial development. Globally, the term has gained prominence in the context of the green energy revolution—lithium for batteries, cobalt for electric vehicles, nickel for energy storage, and rare earth elements for electronics. Zimbabwe sits at the center of this discourse, endowed with significant deposits of lithium, nickel, cobalt, and platinum group metals (PGMs), as well as gold, diamonds, and chrome.

Prof. Murombo challenged the audience to confront the gap between global demand and local benefit. “These minerals,” he stated, “fuel industries, technologies, and economies elsewhere while our communities bear the costs. Who truly benefits from Zimbabwe’s critical minerals? Is it us, or the global market?”

The definition of critical minerals, he argued, cannot be limited to their economic or technological utility alone. It must encompass social justice, community well-being, environmental stewardship, and national development. Otherwise, their extraction risks repeating centuries of inequity under the guise of progress.

The Mineral Curse: A Zimbabwean Historical Lens

The “mineral curse” refers to the paradox whereby countries rich in natural resources often experience slower economic growth, weaker institutions, and persistent inequality compared to resource-poor nations. Zimbabwe provides a striking historical illustration.

Mining in Zimbabwe dates back to the 7th century, when gold from the Kingdom of Mapungubwe and later Great Zimbabwe fueled sophisticated trade networks across Southern Africa. Local rulers accrued wealth, but broad-based prosperity remained elusive. The colonial era intensified extraction. By the late 19th century, British South Africa Company (BSAC) interests had modernised mining operations, prioritising foreign profit over local development.

Prof. Murombo traced this lineage to the present: “Up to 2025, we are still crying. Mining has always been a double-edged sword—creating revenue while leaving communities, ecosystems, and livelihoods deeply scarred.”

He highlighted contemporary examples: artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) struggle with regulatory hurdles and limited access to markets, while large-scale operators generate significant export revenue yet often marginalise local communities. Open pits, tailings, and water contamination remain persistent hazards, and local employment gains are frequently modest relative to the mineral wealth extracted.

The Socio-Environmental Footprint: Wealth That Isn’t a Blessing

One of the keynote’s most powerful themes was the dissonance between economic statistics and lived realities. Zimbabwe’s mining sector contributes over 50% of GDP and 60% of exports, yet Prof. Murombo emphasised that the visible social benefits for communities are minimal.

“All the people that spoke from the provinces… I did not hear any person who was smiling and saying they benefited a lot from mineral resources. What kind of wealth is that?” he asked, prompting delegates to reflect on the human cost of extraction.

The environmental consequences are equally stark. Rivers have been contaminated, farmland degraded, and ecosystems disrupted by poorly regulated mining. Mercury and cyanide contamination from gold panning, tailings mismanagement from platinum and chrome operations, and unrehabilitated pits from lithium and base metal exploration all contribute to a chronic environmental debt.

Prof. Murombo argued that these costs are not incidental but structural: they result from the very way minerals are commoditised and governed. The “mineral curse” is not just economic; it is social, cultural, and environmental.

The “Just Energy Transition”: Hype, Appropriation, or Hope?

The term “just energy transition” has gained traction globally as nations attempt to move away from fossil fuels while promoting sustainable and equitable development. Yet, according to Prof. Murombo, the concept has been hollowed out, often appropriated by powerful actors in the Global North to secure critical minerals for their energy ambitions.

“Who has defined it? Do we own the discussions around the just energy transition? Can anyone here claim that they understand what the just energy transition is?” he asked, underscoring the absence of local agency in global energy discourse.

For Zimbabwe, this has profound implications. Lithium, cobalt, and PGMs are key to the green economy, but global markets dictate prices, terms of trade, and supply chains. The profits flow abroad, while Zimbabwean communities endure the ecological and social burdens.

Prof. Murombo’s critique went further: as long as renewable energy and green technologies are profit-driven, they will replicate the inequities of fossil-fuel economies. In other words, a transition in energy sources alone cannot dismantle centuries of structural extraction.

Human Nature and the Politics of Mining

A recurring theme in the keynote was the interplay between human nature, power, and profit. Prof. Murombo posited that self-interest, amplified by access to resources and authority, drives extractive practices and weak regulatory enforcement.

“Human beings are, by nature… self-advertising… every human being… with a spirit of self-preservation,” he said. While education, social norms, and accountability mechanisms can temper this instinct, they do not eliminate it.

This insight has tangible implications for governance. Regulating mining is not merely a legal or technical challenge—it is a struggle against deeply ingrained incentives and behaviours. Economic usefulness does not equate to ethical or social acceptability. Activities that generate profit yet harm communities, degrade land, or perpetuate inequality are the essence of the mineral curse.

A Dilemma of Governance: Doomed if You Do, Doomed if You Don’t

Prof. Murombo framed Zimbabwe’s leadership predicament as a double bind. National leaders are caught between domestic expectations for resource-led development and international pressures for compliance with climate, trade, and investment standards.

“Your people will place you as a candidate if you take the same decisions, but you will be demonised internationally… So whatever decision we take, we must be prepared to stand like this. There is no right or wrong decision…”

This dilemma is particularly visible in the electricity and energy sector. Renewable energy transitions require reliable power infrastructure, yet Zimbabwe’s energy system is constrained by underinvestment, ageing plants, and limited capital. Fossil-fuel-based solutions may provide faster economic returns but come at environmental and social costs. The leadership challenge is navigating these trade-offs while safeguarding national sovereignty and community well-being.

Zimbabwe’s Lithium: Opportunity and Risk

Lithium, central to batteries and electric vehicles, exemplifies the promise and peril of critical minerals in Zimbabwe. The country holds some of the world’s largest lithium deposits, particularly in Bikita and Arcadia. Yet extraction, processing, and revenue management remain contentious.

Prof. Murombo warned against simplistic narratives of economic transformation: “We can extract lithium quickly, supply the world, and generate revenue, but if communities remain excluded, if ecosystems collapse, and if profits are expatriated, we are merely repeating the same story.”

The lithium debate illustrates a broader tension: balancing urgent global demand, domestic development objectives, and environmental sustainability. Without careful governance, Zimbabwe risks entrenching the mineral curse even while participating in the green economy.

Lessons from History: Learning from the Past to Shape the Future

Throughout the keynote, Prof. Murombo drew lessons from Zimbabwe’s long history of mining. From pre-colonial gold kingdoms to colonial exploitation and post-independence mineral policies, a recurring pattern emerges: resource wealth has rarely translated into sustained, equitable development.

Key takeaways include:

• Community inclusion is non-negotiable: Decision-making must integrate local voices from exploration to closure.
• Environmental accountability is critical: Mining must consider long-term ecological impacts and rehabilitation.
• Global narratives require local scrutiny: International frameworks, like the just energy transition, must be adapted to national realities rather than imposed externally.
• Profit motives cannot dictate development alone: Economic growth without social equity perpetuates the mineral curse.
• These lessons suggest that transformative governance is possible but demands intellectual honesty, political courage, and structural reform.

Towards a Truly Just Transition

While the keynote was unflinching in its critique, it also implicitly offered a pathway: honesty, pragmatism, and local agency. Prof. Murombo did not prescribe specific policies but emphasised principles that could guide Zimbabwe’s mining and energy future:

• Redefining wealth: Beyond GDP and exports, wealth must include community well-being, environmental integrity, and intergenerational equity.
• Local ownership and control: Critical minerals should serve domestic development priorities, not just global markets.
• Integrated governance: Mining, energy, and environmental policies must be coordinated, transparent, and enforceable.
• Ethical investment: Foreign and local investors must adhere to standards that protect people, land, and water.
• Incremental pragmatism: Renewable energy adoption should consider technical, financial, and infrastructural realities without sacrificing sustainability goals.

Provocation as a Call to Action

Professor Tumai Murombo’s keynote at ZAMI 2025 was not merely a lecture—it was a provocation. By highlighting the persistent mineral curse, interrogating the assumptions of the just energy transition, and emphasising the centrality of human nature in resource governance, he challenged delegates to rethink Zimbabwe’s path.

The questions remain uncomfortable yet unavoidable: Can Zimbabwe harness its critical minerals without replicating historical injustices? Can communities benefit equitably while global markets continue to exert influence? Is a truly just energy transition possible when profit motives dominate?

The answers are neither simple nor immediate. Yet, as Prof. Murombo reminded the audience, confronting these realities with honesty and courage is the only way to ensure that Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth becomes a blessing rather than a centuries-old curse.

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.