Mimosa, Zimbabwe’s oldest platinum miner, has marked a century of operations with its Managing Director, Fungai Makoni, declaring that the company’s legacy rests not only on its mineral output but also on its deliberate commitment to responsibility and community development.
Speaking at the centenary celebrations held at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show in Harare, Makoni traced the company’s long journey back to 1925, when the Granger Brothers carried out early prospecting activities at North Hill. Over the decades, those rudimentary beginnings evolved into what is now a modern platinum mine and a key player in the country’s economy.
Makoni said Mimosa is proud of the pioneers who laid the foundation but stressed that the defining moment in its corporate journey came in 2005, when the company made a conscious decision to embrace structured corporate social responsibility. From that point, Mimosa began deliberately aligning its operations with the development of surrounding communities, ensuring that its activities generated broad-based benefits.
One of the most prominent outcomes of this shift is the Livestock Revitalization Programme, which is transforming cattle farming in the Zvishavane and Mberengwa districts. The initiative involves the donation of breeding bulls and heifers to improve genetics, the establishment of an artificial insemination programme, and the refurbishment of dip tanks. The long-term goal is to commercialize the scheme so that livestock farming becomes a sustainable income stream for rural households.
Makoni said this programme reflects Mimosa’s conviction that communities must share in the benefits of mining through initiatives that strengthen livelihoods.
Beyond agriculture, Mimosa has also invested significantly in building local industrial capacity through its Local Enterprise Development (LED) Programme and Supplier Support Programme (SSP). Established with the support of a facility arranged with CBZ, these initiatives provide long-term and short-term financing to local suppliers who service the mine. To date a number of suppliers have been capacitated under the programmes, with measurable results.
Original Technology, one of the beneficiaries, expanded its production capacity by 300 percent and now operates an automated resin bolt manufacturing plant capable of supplying the domestic market while also exporting to Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rytecraft has established a transport operation moving 1,700 tonnes of concentrates to South Africa each month, while Byword Motors has expanded its vehicle servicing operations to include a second centre in Harare. Boltrec Engineering has commissioned an automated roller manufacturing plant producing 8,800 conveyor rollers per month, and Palawani has diversified into conferencing, fish farming, horticulture, and apiculture at Palawani Dam.
Makoni said these developments stem from the same 2005 decision to embed responsibility and empowerment at the core of Mimosa’s strategy. By deliberately supporting local industries and enterprises, the company has sought to reduce import dependence, shorten supply lines, and build resilience in the face of growing regional and global pressures.
As Mimosa looks to its next century, Makoni stressed that the company’s identity will continue to be shaped by its role as a responsible corporate citizen. While platinum remains the core of its operations, he said the real story is one of a mining house that has consistently aligned itself with national priorities and local development.
“From livestock to local enterprises, the decisions we made in 2005 have borne fruit. Our story is one of building communities, strengthening industries, and leaving a legacy of responsible mining that will outlive us,” Makoni said.
