.png)
Shamva Mine General Manager Eng. Gift Mapakame has issued a compelling call for greater inclusivity and collaboration, specifically urging major Chinese-invested operations to join the industry’s premier body for knowledge sharing, Mining Zimbabwe reports.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The appeal was made during the Association of Mine Managers of Zimbabwe (AMMZ) 3rd Quarter Technical Meeting, hosted by Sinomine Bikita Minerals in Masvingo. In his vote of thanks, Mapakame framed the integration of key players not just as an administrative formality, but as a critical strategic move to harness advanced technology and proprietary skills for the benefit of the entire national industry.
Mapakame pointed to a glaring paradox: Chinese investment now constitutes a significant and dominant share of Zimbabwe’s mining sector, bringing with it cutting-edge technology and specialised methodologies, yet remains noticeably absent from the institutions designed to foster sector-wide growth.
“The reality on the ground… is that the share of the lithium sector that Chinese investment has actually taken is quite significant. It’s much more than half of the traditional operations,” Mapakame stated. “But the reality is that there’s a lot of gaps in terms of inclusivity that we are noting.”
He elaborated that this investment is far more than just capital. “It’s coming with technology, it is coming with skills,” he emphasised. “All those things are just hanging out there and we are unable to actually harness those new establishments and just harmonise with what is existing. So it’s a major gap.”
This gap, according to Mapakame, prevents the cross-pollination of ideas that is essential for progress. Without formal channels for knowledge exchange, local mines cannot fully benefit from the technological advancements and operational efficiencies that companies like Bikita Minerals possess. Conversely, international operators may miss out on the deep, contextual understanding of local geology, regulations, and practices that established AMMZ members hold.
The AMMZ is no mere social club; it is a vital cog in the machinery of the national mining industry. Mapakame highlighted its role in “shaping the policy framework of the sector,” including the review of critical regulations. By excluding such a large portion of the industry’s technological vanguard, the association—and by extension, the sector—risks crafting policies in a vacuum, unaware of the latest innovations and challenges.
It was this imperative that drove the AMMZ’s deliberate outreach to Bikita Minerals. The technical visit was a first step, a bridge built to connect two worlds. Mapakame’s speech was the invitation to cross it.
Turning directly to the leadership of Bikita Minerals, his appeal was personal and direct. “It’s a bit sad that we actually do not have anyone from Bikita Minerals as a member of the association,” he noted before asking, “Do we have anyone who is a member of the Association of Mine Managers from Bikita Minerals? No, we don’t.”
“Please, please, please, please,” he entreated, “as we leave this part, we are going to leave you with links and application forms so that you could also join the association and bring on board… all that international assets and proprietary knowledge that you have.”
His vision is one of a unified, stronger industry. “The door is wide open. We don’t know it all. And you have got something to offer. Let’s come together. The industry is ours. Let’s shape it. Let’s build it together.”
The hosting of the event by Bikita Minerals provided a perfect case study in the value of this proposed exchange. Mapakame expressed deep gratitude for the company’s transparency in showcasing its operations. He specifically mentioned his intrigue with the reprocessing of old dumps for strategic minerals like cesium, a process that involves sophisticated technology and reflects an innovative approach to resource maximisation.
“I was particularly intrigued by the reprocessing of the old dumps in pursuit of cesium. The pricing of that particular mineral commodity is good,” he said, acknowledging the smart diversification that shields the operation from the volatility of more common mineral markets. This technological adaptability is precisely the kind of knowledge that could benefit other mines in Zimbabwe.
Mapakame’s call to action is a recognition that the future of mining is technological. It is driven by automation, data analytics, and sophisticated mineral processing techniques. For Zimbabwe to compete globally and extract maximum value from its mineral wealth, its entire sector must evolve. This cannot happen in silos. It requires a collective effort, a melting pot of international technology and local expertise.
By championing this knowledge exchange, Gift Mapakame is advocating for more than just new members for an association; he is proposing a blueprint for a more resilient, innovative, and prosperous mining industry in Zimbabwe, built on the foundational pillars of shared technology and mutual growth.
