The Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba (ZAMI) has solidified its role as a critical national platform for inspiring change and fostering dialogue between the government, mining investors, and communities, with top officials calling for sustainable and inclusive management of the country’s mineral wealth, Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Dr Polite Kambamura said.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Speaking during the ZAMI 14th Edition this week, Dr Kambamura emphasised that mineral extraction must look beyond immediate profit to ensure intergenerational equity.
“My view today is that when people are extracting from minerals, let it go beyond the extraction, but let’s look at sustainability. How will future generations benefit from what is happening today?” he said.
He positioned the global just energy transition, driven by demand for minerals like lithium and platinum group metals (PGMs), as a monumental opportunity for Zimbabwe, but only if managed correctly.
“This will provide employment to our people, it will provide a cleaner source of energy… It should not benefit only the investors, but our people, the owners of the minerals, the owners of the land should also benefit,” Kambamura stated, adding that everyone must be included in both upstream and downstream industries.
The Deputy Minister defended the government’s record, citing national peace and ongoing infrastructure projects as evidence of proper mineral resource management.
“When you see roads being constructed, hospitals being built, that money is coming from the minerals… So if properly managed, our people can benefit from their mineral resources. But if mismanaged, we see that there will be challenges,” he warned.
His comments dovetailed with those of the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO) Deputy Director, Shamiso Mtisi, who earlier underscored that investment and sustainable development are inseparable “twins.” Mtisi argued that platforms like ZAMI are essential for shaping policy, allowing communities to voice concerns over environmental degradation and pollution directly to lawmakers and investors.
“Those discussions will definitely help us in shaping different policies and laws in the country,” Mtisi said, revealing that ZELO is actively working with the Ministry of Mines to refine the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill.
Both speakers agreed on the necessity of formalising the artisanal mining sector. While Mtisi detailed the need for providing “equipment, finance, and other supportive infrastructure” to small-scale miners, Kambamura highlighted the government’s commitment to collaboration.
“As a government, we stand ready to work with ZELO, that’s why I’m here today, to hear issues coming from the organisation, to hear issues coming from the people, to engage people,” Kambamura said, acknowledging that resolving complex issues is “a process, not an event” that often requires a whole-of-government approach.
The consensus from ZAMI 2025 is clear: for Zimbabwe to truly benefit from its mineral endowment, a collaborative, sustainable, and inclusive path is not just ideal—it is imperative. The platform continues to be a vital engine for inspiring the change needed to achieve that goal.
