Home Blog Page 71

MMCZ Warns Rail Inefficiencies Undercutting Zimbabwe’s Mineral Export Competitiveness

0

Zimbabwe’s mineral exporters are grappling with rising logistics costs as persistent weaknesses in the national rail system force much of the country’s bulk cargo, including coal, onto far more expensive road transport, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) states that this shift is steadily eroding the competitiveness of local producers in international markets.

Commodities that depend on the efficient movement of large tonnages are feeling the greatest strain.

With the rail network unable to carry sufficient volumes, exporters have little option but to rely on long-haul trucking, a move that sharply increases the delivered cost of their minerals.

Speaking after the corporation’s annual general meeting last week, MMCZ marketing manager Mr Gumisai Nenzou said transport bottlenecks were weakening the viability of shipments destined for overseas buyers.

He noted that low-value, high-volume minerals are most exposed to these rising logistics pressures.

“We see this as a challenge, especially when we look at low-value commodities such as coal and chrome. We have a lot of overseas markets that are looking for these products, but because of the challenges with our infrastructure to move the required volumes, that places us at a competitive disadvantage when we look at logistics costs,” Nenzou said.

He added that heavy reliance on road transport complicates compliance with strict maritime loading schedules.

Trucks often struggle to meet tight vessel turnaround times at ports such as Beira, increasing the risk of missed loading windows. When this happens, exporters face penalties for unutilised cargo space, further squeezing margins.

Zimbabwe’s rail problems stem from decades of underinvestment and operational decline at the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).

However, efforts to rebuild the system are underway.

The NRZ has secured a US$115 million Afreximbank loan for new locomotives and, in September 2025, signed a US$533 million agreement with China Railway International Group (CRIG) to modernise and rehabilitate key corridors.

Current projects include lifting speed restrictions and upgrading the Pachipanda–Mutare and Chikwalakwala lines.

In line with the government’s push to restore rail capacity, coal producers in Hwange have also begun acting on a directive to help revitalise NRZ infrastructure.

Plans are now in progress to refurbish the strategic railway line linking the Hwange coalfields to domestic and regional markets, a move expected to ease pressure on the roads and improve coal evacuation efficiency, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

Despite these logistical challenges, Zimbabwe’s mineral exports remained resilient during the first nine months of the year.

Volumes rose 45 per cent above budget to reach 3.84 million tonnes, while export earnings edged up to US$2.6 billion—a slight 0.7 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Platinum group metals (PGMs) continued to dominate export earnings, contributing more than US$1.22 billion, boosted by improved processing and a 54.5 per cent surge in prices.

Ferrochrome exports also strengthened, reaching 328,442 tonnes worth US$272.8 million, supported by firm Asian demand. Coke exports added US$142.6 million.

Lithium remained one of the fastest-growing export categories, though producers faced weaker global prices. Spodumene shipments reached one million tonnes, a 27 per cent rise in volume, while export earnings fell 11 per cent to US$386.9 million due to softening international markets.

Zimbabwe Must Embrace Lean Carbon Strategy to Power Up and Cut Diesel Dependency

0

As Zimbabwe moves into a new era of mineral-led economic growth, the country faces a pressing question: how can it drive energy access rapidly enough to fuel industrial activity while staying within carbon ambitions?

By Rudairo Mapuranga

A fresh regional perspective argues that a temporary, controlled rise in emissions, dubbed a “lean carbon” strategy, may be the best bet for nations like Zimbabwe to break free from energy poverty without being locked into dirty infrastructure.

In a recent opinion piece, Louis Strydom, Director of Growth and Development for Africa and Europe at Wärtsilä Energy, contends that African countries should be allowed a small, time-bound “carbon overdraft” to ensure reliable power to industries and households. This controversial yet pragmatic argument comes at a time when Zimbabwe, with 22-hour power cuts just two years ago and still reliant on costly imported electricity, is aggressively seeking solutions to stabilise the grid and enhance local production.

Zimbabwe currently produces a fraction of the energy it needs. This underpowering has led mines, farms, and SMEs to rely on diesel generators, which are expensive and highly polluting. Studies cited by Strydom show that self-generation in Sub-Saharan Africa, mostly via diesel gensets, accounts for about 6% of installed capacity, with the cost per kWh running between USD 0.30 to 0.70, several times more than grid supply (grid electricity cost for mining in Zimbabwe is USD 0.14 per kWh).

“A clean sentence in a strategy does not change the physics of a failing system,” Strydom writes, cautioning against idealism that fails to address urgent reliability needs.

Strydom’s proposition moves away from extreme orthodoxies, neither “no fossil” nor “gas or nothing”, and instead calls for flexible, modular power plants that can run initially on diesel or heavy fuel oil (HFO) but are built to switch to natural gas or cleaner fuels as infrastructure matures.

For Zimbabwe, this approach could support the country’s mines, smelters, and industrial parks without forcing the country to wait for gas infrastructure, which remains limited due to poor regional connectivity and the absence of viable LNG import terminals nearby.

This “lean carbon” pathway consists of three key elements:

  1. Dual-fuel power plants – facilities that can start generating immediately using HFO or diesel but must be technologically capable of switching to gas when pipelines or supply become viable.

  2. Declining fossil use – while fossil fuels initially supplement renewables, their usage must taper over time as solar, hydro, and storage capacity expand.

  3. Strict covenants and deadlines – implementation of hard compliance measures in PPAs and energy policies to prevent fossil lock-in and ensure timely conversion to cleaner energy.

Zimbabwe has long argued for a “just energy transition”, one that acknowledges historical inequality in emissions and the country’s right to develop. Despite contributing just a tiny fraction to global greenhouse gases, African nations still face pressure from global financiers to skip all fossils entirely. Strydom notes that Africa produces only 4% of global CO₂, while holding 17% of the world’s population.

Yet Zimbabwe, like many African nations, must balance the need for affordable power with the ambition to transition cleanly. The reality, according to Strydom, is that waiting for future technologies while people sit in the dark is not climate policy—it is development deferred.

In practical terms, scaling up modular, dual-fuel power plants, particularly reciprocating engine technology that pairs well with renewables, could help Zimbabwe reach universal access while preparing to cut emissions once gas or hydrogen becomes viable.

Mining and manufacturing are the nation’s biggest drivers of electricity demand. Zimbabwe’s largest energy consumer, Zimplats, has already embarked on building its own 185MW solar plant. Kuvimba Mining House, Mimosa, and Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe have likewise registered plans to generate renewable energy for operations.

But the gap persists, particularly for small-scale and mid-tier miners who cannot afford solar farms and instead rely on generators. Under the lean carbon model, government and energy developers could procure flexible, grid-stabilising power assets that maximise renewables while providing reliable baseload.

To implement a lean carbon system, Zimbabwean energy regulators and ministries should:

  • Set clear timelines for emissions peaking and gas conversion across all thermal assets.
  • Mandate gas-ready design in new thermal tenders.
  • Reward hybrid solutions that push renewables without sacrificing grid stability.
  • Ensure policy continuity that de-risks early-stage investments in storage and transmission upgrades.

International financiers are slowly shifting from outright bans on fossil projects to conditional support for hybrid, transition-enabled power systems. Zimbabwe can seize this momentum to secure funding that doesn’t trap the country in pollution.

As Strydom concludes, Africa does not seek permission to pollute. It seeks permission to end energy poverty quickly while peaking emissions early. That bargain—a small, temporary hump in emissions—may be the most realistic way to sustain Zimbabwe’s mining-driven economy while charting a credible path to net-zero.

Central Banks Demand to Keep Gold Prices Climbing – Goldman Sachs

0

Goldman Sachs has indicated that central banks likely continued significant gold purchases in November, extending a multi-year trend of reserve diversification as countries seek protection against growing geopolitical and financial risks.

By Ryan Chigoche

The Wall Street firm estimates that central banks acquired around 64 tonnes of gold in September, up sharply from about 21 tonnes in August, reflecting ongoing efforts to hedge uncertainty in global markets.

The firm reaffirmed its bullish outlook on gold, projecting that prices could reach $4,900 per ounce by the end of 2026, with further upside possible if private investors increasingly turn to the metal to diversify portfolios.

Spot gold traded near $4,068 per ounce on Monday, marking a 55% gain so far in 2025. This surge has been driven by safe-haven demand, strong inflows into gold-backed exchange-traded funds, and expectations of additional U.S. interest rate cuts.

Other major financial institutions are signalling similar optimism. HSBC has raised its 2025 average gold price forecast to $3,455 per ounce and sees the potential for prices to reach $5,000 per ounce in 2026, citing central bank demand and ongoing geopolitical tension.

Bank of America has lifted its 2026 target to $5,000 per ounce, with an average around $4,400 per ounce, while Deutsche Bank highlights a continued safe-haven bid supported by potential global shifts in reserve currencies.

ANZ projects gold could reach $3,600 per ounce by the end of the year amid persistent macroeconomic uncertainty.

The sustained global demand for gold is also reflected in regional mining output. Countries with significant gold production, including Zimbabwe, have seen notable increases this year.

For instance, gold deliveries in the first nine months of 2025 rose 37% compared to the same period in 2024, with small-scale miners contributing the majority of output.

Total gold deliveries for the first ten months have already surpassed 37 tonnes, keeping the industry on track to meet annual targets, supporting foreign currency inflows, and strengthening mining sector performance.

The combination of aggressive central bank buying, persistent geopolitical risks, and rising mining output underpins a positive outlook for gold in both global and local markets.

Analysts suggest that while structural demand for gold remains strong, sustained production growth and supportive mining policies will be key to ensuring that regions rich in gold continue to benefit from high prices.

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 19 November 2025

0

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 19 November 2025, from the official gold buyer and exporter Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR).

1 oz = 31.1035 g

CategoryPrice ($/g)Price ($/oz)
SG 90% and ABOVE123.373,837.24
SG 85% and above but below 90%122.073,796.80
SG 80% and above but below 85%120.763,756.06
SG 75% and above but below 80%119.463,715.62
Sample 5g and above but below 10g117.503,654.66
Fire Assay CASH124.033,857.77

 

Note: The Fire Assay cash price applies to gold above 100g, with no sample deduction.

A sample of not more than 10g is deducted for the Fire Assay Transfer price.

In This Age, Respect Has to Take a Leading Role: A New Mantra for Global Mining

0

In a world where responsible mining is increasingly non-negotiable, the key to a sustainable future may lie not just in stricter policies, but in a single, powerful principle: respect, Chancellor Chidziva, the Deputy Provincial Mining Director for Matabeleland South, said in his address at The Mining Show in Dubai, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

“In this age, respect has to take a leading role,” he stated, anchoring a vision that assigns responsibility to everyone, from global corporations and governments to the smallest artisanal miners.

His insights, shared across two panel discussions, outlined a pragmatic path forward built on this foundational idea.

On the panel for shaping mining policy, Chidziva argued that the industry is moving beyond the “traditional way” of using tax breaks and penalties to enforce compliance. The new driver, he explained, is market-led responsibility.

“The market now is demanding responsibly sourced materials,” Chidziva stated. “If your operations don’t comply… that on its own will disqualify you.”

This shift, he noted, “removes the burden from government” and places the onus on companies to act as respectful stewards of the environment. “It is the duty of everyone, in as much as we’re chasing profits, but it is also your duty to safeguard the environment for the future generations.”

He expanded this call for respect into a plea for global standardisation, arguing that mining the same mineral in Zimbabwe, Brazil, or Kenya should be governed by similar, respectful standards. This ensures a level playing field where the planet’s health is valued equally everywhere.

Chidziva turned his principle of respect toward one of Africa’s most pressing issues on the second panel: artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). He called it a “harsh reality” that cannot be wished away, especially with rising gold prices.

The traditional response of neglect or crackdowns, he suggested, is fundamentally disrespectful. Instead, he outlined a strategy built on recognition and support.

“Governments can only begin by recognising the fact that we’ve got that sector,” he said. By bringing miners into the formal economy through policy, infrastructure, and technical support, we show respect for their livelihood and their safety.

He detailed Zimbabwe’s model of “gold service centres,” which provide artisanal miners with milling services, formal gold buying, safe equipment, and expert guidance. This approach, he explained, respects miners enough to equip them for success, ensuring they can mine “productively, safely and in an environmentally friendly way.”

Chidziva’s presentations converged on a single, powerful idea: the era of mining as a purely extractive industry, answerable only to its bottom line, is over. The new era must be built on respect.

This means respect enforced by the market for the environment, and respect enacted by governments for the people whose lives depend on the sector. By making respect take a leading role, the industry can forge a sustainable path that balances economic growth with the unwavering responsibility we all share for the planet and each other.

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 18 November 2025

0

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 18 November 2025, from the official gold buyer and exporter Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR).

1 oz = 31.1035 g

CategoryPrice ($/g)Price ($/oz)
SG 90% and ABOVE123.733848.42
SG 85% and above but below 90%122.423807.69
SG 80% and above but below 85%121.113766.94
SG 75% and above but below 80%119.803726.19
Sample 5g and above but below 10g117.843665.22
Fire Assay CASH124.383868.65

 

Note: The Fire Assay cash price applies to gold above 100g, with no sample deduction.

A sample of not more than 10g is deducted for the Fire Assay Transfer price.

Green Light for Karo’s US$50m Debt Restructuring: Bondholders Endorse Extended Tenor and Higher Yield

0

The country’s emerging platinum group metals (PGM) producer, Karo Mining Holdings plc, has successfully secured the necessary bondholder approval to restructure its VFEX-listed US$50 million bond for the US$4.2 billion Karo platinum project in Mhondoro-Ngezi, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

At an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) held on Friday, 07 November 2025, bondholders unanimously voted to approve all six Extraordinary Resolutions, giving management the flexibility needed to align the financing structure with the massive scale and development timeline of the PGM project.

The vote confirms strong investor confidence in the long-term viability of the company’s ambitious plans.

The comprehensive debt restructuring package, which the Cyprus-registered mining firm had been seeking, successfully passed, fundamentally amending the terms of the bond listed on the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX).

The approved resolutions deliver crucial changes to the bond’s terms, centred on providing a longer development runway and enhancing investor yield:

Tenor Extension: The maturity date of the VFEX-listed bond has been formally extended by three years, shifting the final maturity to 07 November 2028.

Interest Rate Hike: The annual interest rate on the bond has been significantly increased from 7.0% to 10.0%, boosting the overall yield for bondholders.

New Guarantee Fee: A 1.0% annual guarantee fee has been introduced, payable to the Guarantor between December 2025 and December 2028, further securing the debt.

Early Redemption Clarification: Amendments were passed to clarify the early redemption provisions, removing the issuer’s obligation to pay interest until the original maturity date in the event of an early call. The issuer will now redeem at US$100 plus accrued interest up to the fixed early redemption date.

The extension is a critical step in the financing strategy for Karo’s US$4.2 billion PGM mining and processing project in the Great Dyke region. Management had previously indicated that the restructuring was necessary to properly bridge the development and funding phase of the vast project.

By successfully extending the bond’s tenor and increasing the yield, Karo ensures the financing remains stable and attractive throughout the crucial early years of project development, which involves significant capital expenditure and infrastructure buildout before commercial production begins.

The decision reflects the company’s prudent approach to debt management and its commitment to ensuring its financial instruments are aligned with the project’s complex timeline.

The successful EGM vote builds on the already strong performance of the US$50 million bond on the VFEX, where it has seen high demand since its listing.

This initial debt issuance was always positioned as a strategic first step toward establishing the company’s presence in the country’s offshore financial hub.

With the bond’s tenor now secured and offering an enhanced return, Karo Mining Holdings remains on track to continue its trajectory toward its stated long-term goal: pursuing a full equity listing on the VFEX in due course, capitalising on the growing investor interest in Zimbabwe’s mining sector and the country’s strategic position in the global PGM supply chain.

Zimbabwe Lithium Volumes Surge but Earnings Dip 11% as Prices Remain Weak

0

According to the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), lithium export revenues fell 11% between January and September 2025, despite a 27% increase in production volumes — a trend attributed to global market oversupply, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

During the period under review, lithium exports generated US$386.9 million, marking an 11% annual decline from last year. MMCZ says the drop in export earnings stems from prolonged price weakness, even as export volumes rose sharply over the same period.

“Despite the increase in tonnage, the value of exports decreased by 11%, from US$432.4 million in 2024 to US$386.9 million in 2025, mainly due to a fall in international spodumene prices,” MMCZ says.

The downturn comes amid a sustained glut in the China-dominated lithium supply chain, which has kept prices depressed for more than a year.

Global lithium prices shed 80% between March 2023 and 2024 and have yet to show meaningful signs of recovery, worsening the revenue squeeze for exporting countries like Zimbabwe.

For local producers, the earnings slump adds pressure at a time when companies have been pleading with the government to defer tax on lithium concentrates until the end of 2026.

Producers argue that the extension is necessary to allow them to raise capital for processing plants, which are required to meet beneficiation targets.

Currently, Zimbabwe levies a 5% VAT on lithium concentrates unless they are beneficiated to a specified level. Given depressed global prices, miners contend that a temporary tax moratorium would ease financial strain and give them room to invest in downstream capacity.

The government, however, has already announced plans to ban lithium concentrate exports from 2027, a policy designed to force companies to build in-country processing operations.

Despite the earnings decline, investor interest in Zimbabwe’s lithium sector remains strong. Kuvimba Mining House, for example, is advancing plans to develop a new mine at Sandawana by 2027, while Chinese-led investments continue to dominate the sector. The surge in investment, however, is unfolding against a backdrop of persistently low prices that continue to weigh on export revenues.

Zimbabwe has also solidified its position as a crucial supplier of lithium concentrate to Chinese refineries, following billions of dollars in investments by companies such as Chengxin Lithium Group and Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt.

Bikita Minerals, owned by Sinomine Resources Group, and Arcadia Lithium are both establishing processing facilities to produce higher-value lithium sulphate, marking a shift toward deeper beneficiation.

Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that the world will require roughly 55 additional lithium mines by 2035 to meet demand linked to the energy transition, underscoring the long-term importance of the battery mineral despite current market turbulence.

Hwange Refurbishment Awaits Final Cabinet Nod: US$455 Million Project Key to Easing Mining Sector Power Crisis

0

In a move closely watched by the energy-intensive mining sector, ZESA Holdings confirmed it is awaiting final Cabinet approval for a proposed US$455 million partnership with Indian firm Jindal to refurbish Hwange Power Station’s Units 1 to 6, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The deal, structured under a 15-year Rehabilitate, Operate, and Transfer (ROT) arrangement, is designed to bolster the country’s electricity generation capacity at a time when the mining industry is grappling with persistent load-shedding that stifles production and expansion.

Speaking on the proposed agreement, ZESA Group Acting Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Cleopas Nyachowe, said the refurbishment will restore the six units to a combined capacity of 920 megawatts, raising the station’s total output to 1,500 megawatts.

“They have the right to refurbish the asset, operate it, and then we share the revenues; we are sharing revenues, not profit, so this is where we are reducing our risk,” Eng. Nyachowe said. “They are taking over all the operational expenses that are going to happen for that period, and then at the end of the period, hand back the asset and staff.”

He acknowledged that the final decision rests with the highest level of government. “It has been very tough negotiations… Obviously, the last view comes from Cabinet, they will have to give us a go-ahead,” he stated, adding that fine-tuning of the revenue-sharing model to ensure the country benefits more is part of the ongoing discussions.

For Zimbabwe’s mining sector, the single largest foreign currency earner, a reliable power supply is non-negotiable. Operations from platinum and gold processing to chrome smelting are heavily dependent on consistent electricity. The current power deficit has forced many mines to rely on expensive diesel generators, significantly driving up operational costs and cutting into profit margins.

The successful refurbishment of Hwange would provide a direct and substantial boost to the national grid, alleviating the load-shedding that currently hampers mining output. The project is a cornerstone of broader efforts by the Second Republic to modernise the country’s energy infrastructure and secure grid reliability, which is a fundamental prerequisite for attracting investment in the mining sector.

Once approved, the project will see units taken out of service one by one for refurbishment over a 48-month period. “They could do it faster, but the limitation is that you can only be given one machine at a time. If we were able to give two machines, then we would actually cut down the period,” Eng. Nyachowe noted.

The mining industry will be watching closely for the Cabinet’s decision, which would signal the start of a critical project to power Zimbabwe’s economic growth.

Mimosa, ZRP Forge Strategic Partnership to Combat 20% Crime Surge in Zvishavane

0

Mimosa Mining Company, has entered a strategic tripartite partnership with the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and traditional leaders in Zvishavane, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The landmark collaboration was brought to the fore during the highly anticipated annual Cop of the Year awards ceremony, an event that fittingly coincided with Mimosa’s centenary celebrations, marking one hundred years of its operational presence in the Zimbabwean mining industry.

The partnership is a direct and timely response to recent crime statistics. An official crime analysis for the Zvishavane district presented at the event revealed a concerning 20 per cent increase in the general crime rate during the period from January to October 2025, compared to the same period last year. The data indicated that over 9,000 cases were received by October 31, 2025, a significant jump from approximately 8,000 cases recorded in the analogous period in 2024. This quantitative evidence underscored the urgent need for a collaborative intervention.

Acting Officer Commanding Midlands Province, Assistant Commissioner Martin Matambo, addressed the gathering, emphatically stating that crime prevention is a collective responsibility that transcends the mandate of the police alone.

“This is not just about the police, it is about all of us. Stay vigilant, report suspicious people or vehicles, and work closely with your local leaders. Together, we can make this community a safer place,” Assistant Commissioner Matambo said. “I urge everyone who is here to play his or her part in thwarting crimes. Our President says Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo (a country is built by its own people), and let’s embrace that.”

This initiative is a tangible manifestation of Mimosa’s much-praised Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy, which has previously been hailed for its strong governance structures and profound community engagement. The company’s approach to CSR extends beyond infrastructure and philanthropy, delving into core issues that affect the daily lives and security of its host communities. By aligning with the ZRP and traditional leadership, Mimosa is leveraging its position to foster a coordinated, multi-faceted response to a critical social challenge.

The partnership between Mimosa Mines and the ZRP was described as a symbol of resilience and shared purpose in the relentless fight against crime. A central pillar of this collaboration is the Cop of the Year award, sponsored by Mimosa, which serves to recognise and reward outstanding service within the police force.

Mimosa Mines Managing Director, Mr Fungai Makoni, elaborated on the significance of the award, noting, “The Cop of the Year award, by its very nature, serves as a powerful motivation and incentive for our officers, encouraging innovation and dedication in the execution of their duties. It is through such recognition that we aim to inspire continued excellence and uphold the highest standards of service for our communities.”

Mr. Makoni further emphasised that the company’s centenary is not just a milestone of longevity, but a reminder of its deep-rooted commitment to the socio-economic fabric of the Midlands Province. This security partnership, therefore, is viewed as a critical investment in social stability, which is a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable development and shared prosperity. The move demonstrates that for Mimosa, effective corporate citizenship involves actively co-creating solutions to pressing community issues, thereby building a safer, more secure environment for all stakeholders.