Mining ZimbabweLatest Mining News, Policy and Industry Updates

First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa has directed the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Dr. Ushe Utete, to immediately clean up provincial mining offices and ensure they operate efficiently and free from corruption, following damning allegations of bribery and bureaucratic obstruction raised by the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF).

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking at an environmental awareness engagement at Magaya Mining Site in Gadzema, Chegutu, the First Lady issued the directive after ZMF President Henrietta Rushwaya presented a catalogue of challenges facing artisanal and small-scale miners, including corrupt officials demanding bribes for processing mining certificates and other documents.

“Your coming here today to be with us is going to be a memorable day in the history of the artisanal and small-scale mining sector,” Rushwaya told the First Lady. “We encounter a number of challenges, and by asking for your presence among us today, the most significant challenge that your children are facing is that of mining land.”

Rushwaya detailed how some officers in the Ministry’s provincial offices demand bribes from miners to process certificates and other essential paperwork, creating barriers that prevent informal operators from formalising their operations. She also highlighted that numerous mining claims and concessions have lain idle since the 1990s, arguing that these should be reallocated to small-scale miners who are ready and willing to work them.

The ZMF President’s remarks echo long-standing grievances within the sector. A massive corruption scandal has recently rocked the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, with explosive allegations emerging of a sophisticated syndicate involving high-ranking provincial officials. Past scandals have included allegations of the double allocation of mining claims and bribes paid to officials, which have cost Zimbabwe billions in lost revenue. In one recent case, a mines official in Matabeleland South Province was sentenced to 18 months in prison for criminal abuse of office after unlawfully issuing a mining prospecting licence to his mother.

Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr. Polite Kambamura has previously declared “zero tolerance” for corruption, vowing decisive action to make the ministry the government’s best performer this year. “An inspector who accepts a bribe to overlook a cracked tailings wall or a compromised ventilation system has signed a death warrant,” the Minister warned recently.

The First Lady’s direct intervention signals heightened political attention on endemic corruption within the mining regulatory apparatus. Her order to Dr. Utete, who was appointed to the post in May 2026, places the permanent secretary under immediate pressure to demonstrate tangible reforms in provincial offices.

Idle Claims and the ‘Use It or Lose It’ Policy

Rushwaya’s call for the release of idle mining claims aligns with Zimbabwe’s “use-it-or-lose-it” policy, which allows the State to reclaim mining concessions that remain undeveloped for extended periods. The ZMF President has previously advocated for the implementation of this policy, noting that some large mining companies have been holding mining claims for many years for speculative purposes without any production taking place.

The government has indicated plans to reclaim all mining concessions that have been lying idle, with reports indicating that there are four platinum concessions that have not been exploited since the 1970s. Rushwaya has argued that operationalising the “use it or lose it” policy would assist in improving production targets.

The proposed Mines and Minerals Bill, gazetted in June 2025, seeks to address concerns about exclusive prospecting orders and introduce frameworks that enable small-scale and artisanal miners to be formally recognised and supported. However, the sector continues to face significant hurdles, including access to finance, equipment, and formal mining titles.

Sector at a Crossroads

The artisanal and small-scale mining sector now contributes over 75% of Zimbabwe’s gold deliveries to Fidelity Gold Refinery and sustains an estimated 1.5 million livelihoods. ZMF members contributed 36 tonnes of gold in 2025, according to Rushwaya. Yet roughly 85% of more than one million ASM operators remain unregistered, according to ZMF estimates.

The First Lady’s directive to clean up provincial offices comes as Zimbabwe seeks to maximise revenue from its mineral wealth amid currency volatility and economic challenges. With the sector now generating more than 45% of the country’s foreign currency inflows, addressing corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies has become an economic imperative.

Dr. Utete, who has pledged to place the Zimbabwe School of Mines at the heart of his duties and described the institution as a strategic pillar in achieving national mining sector targets, now faces the immediate task of restoring integrity to provincial offices. Whether his response to the First Lady’s directive will deliver meaningful change remains to be seen, but the political spotlight on ministry corruption has never been brighter.

Zimbabwe’s Mines and Mining Development Minister, Dr. Polite Kambamura, will serve as guest of honour at the country’s premier annual mining conference this month, as the industry seeks to translate resource wealth into sustained economic growth, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The Chamber of Mines said on Friday that attendance for the June 17–20 event in Harare would be capped at 500 delegates despite “overwhelming” demand, citing space constraints at the venue.

“The theme, Unlock Value, Maximise Benefit, Sustain Growth, is informed specifically by the need to sustain the growth of our mining industry to maximise its contribution to the socio-economic development of our citizens,” Chamber CEO Dr. Isaac Kwesu told reporters.

The main event takes place on June 19, preceded by two days of specialised symposiums. For the first time, the Chamber has expanded to five thematic symposiums covering ESG and sustainability, gold, platinum group metals (PGMs), lithium and critical minerals, and coal, oil and gas.

Beyond Dr. Kambamura, the Chamber has invited the Finance Minister, Energy Minister, and the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to address policy levers critical to the mining sector, which holds the world’s second-largest chrome reserves and is Africa’s top platinum producer.

International speakers include the President of Future Coal, a Vice President from the Mozambique Chamber of Mines, the CEO of the Ghana Chamber of Mines, and a senior researcher from CFA Oxford.

Kwesu said the conference outcomes would “inform the policy to shape the mining industry we desire” — one that drives economic growth and contributes to Zimbabwe’s socio-economic agenda under Vision 2030.

The Chamber expects balanced media reporting to provide insights for those unable to attend. A growth and networking event will close the programme on June 20.

The Mining Industry Pension Fund (MIPF) saw contribution collections plunge to just 44% in 2025, highlighting mounting pressure on the pension scheme despite strong investment returns and a funding position that remains above regulatory requirements, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

Presenting the Fund’s performance at its recent Annual General Meeting, MIPF Principal Officer Anymore Taruvinga said the sharp decline was largely driven by non-remittance by some mining employers.

The shortfall has emerged as one of the Fund’s most pressing concerns, constraining liquidity, limiting investment growth, and raising risks to the long-term sustainability of member benefits.

In response, MIPF has rolled out a revised recovery plan aimed at improving compliance and boosting contribution inflows. The measures include tighter reporting cycles, direct engagement with defaulting employers, and stronger escalation procedures for repeat offenders. Members have also been encouraged to report cases of non-remittance directly to the Fund as it seeks to protect retirement savings.

While both the Accumulated Fund and Assets Under Management recorded significant growth, rising to US$318.056 million and US$310.556 million respectively in the first quarter of 2026 from US$267.623 million and US$260.680 million at the end of 2025, bolstered by strong investment returns, the real strain is laid bare elsewhere.

Contribution collections plunging to just 44% and a funding level that dropped to 116% from 160% a year earlier highlight the mounting pressures on liquidity and long-term sustainability.

However, despite these pressures, MIPF remains financially resilient. The 2025 actuarial valuation confirmed a funding level of 116%, down from 160% a year earlier but still comfortably above the minimum solvency threshold of 100%. Investment returns reached 23.27% in 2025 and were 17.80% in the first quarter of 2026.

That performance meant the Fund continued to deliver tangible value for members. Sub-account 1 received a declared bonus of 19.86% and a pension increase of 18.32%, while Sub-account 2 received a bonus of 47.76% and a pension increase of 39.42%.

While collections remain the immediate challenge, MIPF is also confronting pressures within its investment portfolio. Property accounted for 50% of total investments at the end of 2025, leaving the Fund particularly exposed to the effects of urban decay on some of its central business district assets.

Rather than retreating from the sector, the Fund is investing in developments designed to strengthen future income streams and unlock value from its property portfolio. The Chinhoyi Students’ Accommodation Project is 79% complete and targeted for completion in August 2026. Similarly, the Gokwe Shopping Mall has reached 74% completion and is scheduled for delivery during the same month.

MIPF is also generating near-term cash flows through the sale of 220 residential stands under the Impali development, which comprises 156 high-density and 64 low-density stands. The Fund said it remains ready to implement compensation measures related to pre-2009 loss-of-value claims once regulatory guidance is issued.

Operational Reforms and Member Support Initiatives

Beyond collections and property, MIPF is pursuing operational reforms aimed at improving member services and controlling costs. Benefit structures are under review to address low pension values. System upgrades are expected to reduce claims processing times. Awareness campaigns are also being intensified to attract mineworkers who are not yet members of the scheme.

The Fund continued to support members through its Assisted Member Mortgage Scheme, disbursing US$3.16 million to 222 members and ZWG18.79 million to a further 809 beneficiaries during the period under review. This homeownership initiative is specifically aimed at helping members secure property, ensuring they have a roof over their heads by retirement.

To further bolster member welfare, the Fund introduced a Pensioners’ Micro Loan Scheme, which provides pensioners with accessible funds for small-scale projects to supplement their pension income. Additionally, MIPF delivers ongoing value by making quarterly USD payments to pensioners, which are paid out over and above the standard monthly pensions.

Looking ahead, MIPF’s ability to sustain its strong investment performance will depend in part on reversing the decline in contribution collections. Although the Fund remains well funded and continues to generate positive returns, management believes stronger employer compliance will be critical to protecting member benefits and ensuring the scheme’s long-term sustainability.

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) will host an environmental awareness meeting for artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM) on Tuesday at the Magaya Mining Site in Gadzema, Chegutu, with First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa as the guest of honour, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The event, organised in conjunction with Magaya Mining, underscores growing political and regulatory pressure on a sector that has become a double-edged sword for the economy.

The ASM sector now contributes over 60% of Zimbabwe’s gold deliveries to Fidelity Gold Refinery and sustains an estimated 1.5 million livelihoods through direct and indirect employment. Yet, this economic lifeline operates largely outside the law. ZMF estimates there are more than one million ASM operators in the country, with approximately 85% unregistered.

The environmental toll has been severe. A 2025 study found that mercury use has caused “severe contamination of water bodies”, while land clearing for mining has led to “severe deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and declining agricultural productivity”. Across Zimbabwe, an estimated 96% of artisanal gold mine sites still rely on mercury, and the sector releases more than 24 tonnes of mercury into ecosystems annually.

In response, the government gazetted the Mines and Minerals Bill in June 2025, a long-awaited reform to replace the 1961 Act. The Bill explicitly prioritises the formalisation of artisanal mining and the alignment of mining activities with environmental and social safeguards. Meanwhile, ZMF has launched a “Gold Card” biometric ID system to bring informal miners into a verifiable national database, aiming to transition the sector “from informal survival to professional, profitable and safe businesses”.

The June 16 gathering at the Magaya Mining Site will see the First Lady—who has previously engaged illegal panners on tree planting and land rehabilitation—emphasise the need for sustainable practices in an industry that now accounts for more than 45% of Zimbabwe’s foreign currency inflows.