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In a major move to unlock Zimbabwe’s vast mineral potential, the country is set to undertake a comprehensive nationwide geomagnetic airborne geophysical survey aimed at significantly enhancing understanding of its mineral resource base, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Ryan Chigoche
The nationwide airborne geophysical survey aims to uncover untapped mineral deposits and stimulate growth in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
This significant initiative was announced by Finance and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube in his 2026 Budget Strategy Paper (BSP), recently presented to Parliament.
Zimbabwe is one of Africa’s most mineral-rich countries, boasting over 60 known mineral types, including gold, platinum group metals (PGMs), chrome, lithium, diamonds, coal-bed methane, rare earth elements (REEs), and base metals. However, only about 40% of the country’s land area has been explored, leaving significant portions of its mineral wealth untapped.
To bridge this exploration gap, the Government has announced that it will launch the airborne geophysical survey in partnership with international and local partners.
The initiative aims to significantly enhance the country’s geostatistical data, making it easier to identify new mineral deposits and reduce the risks associated with exploration.
In his 2026 Budget Strategy Paper, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube highlighted that advanced airborne geophysical technology and upgraded labs will be vital to discovering new deposits, reducing exploration risks, and ensuring fast, accurate sample analysis.
“By leveraging advanced airborne geophysical technologies, we seek to identify new mineral deposits, improve exploration, and reduce the risks associated with mineral exploration activities,” Ncube said.
“Concurrently, Government will invest in strengthening laboratory infrastructure and capacity to support the increased volume and complexity of geological samples generated through enhanced exploration efforts, ensuring timely, precise, and reliable analysis of mineral samples, which is critical for informed decision-making by both the public sector and mining investors,” Ncube added.
This announcement comes against a backdrop of historic under-investment in exploration, which has often accounted for less than 1% of mining budgets compared to a global benchmark of around 10%.
Much of Zimbabwe’s existing geological data was collected decades ago using outdated methods, making it difficult to accurately quantify potential deposits, particularly in regions covered by Kalahari Sands and other challenging terrains.
The nationwide survey is therefore seen as a major step in a broader strategy to revitalise mineral exploration.
It follows other recent Government efforts such as the issuance of Exclusive Prospecting Orders (EPOs) to stimulate new investment, as well as the push for a progressive Mines and Minerals Bill that addresses licensing and claim security issues.
Industry bodies, including the Geological Society of Zimbabwe, have long called for more exploration licences and greater use of modern technologies such as remote sensing, drone mapping, and AI-assisted prospecting to unlock the country’s hidden mineral wealth.
Opportunities Ahead
High-value minerals such as lithium, REEs, manganese, and coal-bed methane hold major growth potential for Zimbabwe.
Recent lithium discoveries in Bikita, Kamativi, and Goromonzi, coupled with renewed interest in the country’s vast coal-bed methane fields, underscore the opportunities waiting to be tapped.
If successful, the upcoming survey and planned laboratory upgrades could transform Zimbabwe’s mineral sector by updating geostatistical data, boosting investor confidence, and laying the groundwork for new exploration campaigns. This, in turn, could help unlock billions of dollars in untapped mineral wealth and drive broader economic growth.
