The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has emphasized the importance of responsible sourcing and ethical practices across Zimbabwe’s mining value chain, saying the country’s mineral wealth must be developed through accountability, local participation, and adherence to sustainable standards, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Ryan Chigoche
This was stated by Minister Winston Chitando at the official opening of the ongoing ZITF Mine Entra exhibition in Bulawayo, which is focused on going “beyond extraction” to ensure that every stage of mining—from exploration to product procurement—aligns with the principles of responsible and sustainable mining.
The call for responsible sourcing comes amid concerns that the mining sector remains highly import-dependent. In 2024, the industry’s order book stood at US$2.7 billion, yet only 15% of that amount was spent locally, underscoring how limited the benefits are for domestic suppliers and manufacturers.
Speaking at the conference, Minister Chitando said responsible mining goes beyond compliance to include responsible sourcing, a practice that promotes the use of locally produced goods and services to support domestic industries and create jobs.
“Mining in a responsible manner also involves responsible sourcing,” Chitando said. “We would like to see mining companies ensuring that inputs in the mining sector are manufactured locally, and that products from the mining sector are also valued locally. There is no need to import PPE when it is being showcased right here.”
He added that responsible sourcing forms part of a broader strategy to deepen local content within the mining value chain—from the manufacture of protective equipment and consumables to the beneficiation of minerals such as lithium and ferrochrome.
“The future of mining is where we have stakeholders who follow the ethos and principles of responsible mining,” he said. “There is no space for players who cannot follow those principles.”
Phase 2 of the government’s Responsible Mining Initiative will soon be launched, building on earlier efforts to strengthen compliance and sustainability in the sector.
“The first phase focused on ensuring that companies follow the existing laws. Phase 2 will go beyond that, introducing new regulations and ensuring that everybody mines in a responsible manner,” Chitando added.
Day Two of the 28th edition of the Mine Entra exhibition in Bulawayo marked the official opening of the event, presided over by Acting President Constantino Chiwenga.
The edition was fully subscribed, attracting over 240 local suppliers and service providers who engaged directly with miners exploring equipment and technologies for their operations. The vibrant foot traffic and dynamic buyer-seller interactions highlighted the exhibition’s growing reputation as a key marketplace for the mining value chain.
Held under the theme “Beyond Extraction: Sustaining the Future of Mining,” Mine Entra 2025 reinforced the government’s push for sustainable and responsible sourcing. By providing a platform for local suppliers to connect with miners, the exhibition continues to play a critical role in promoting local procurement, fostering strategic partnerships, and driving greater domestic value addition across the sector.
