The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has welcomed the government’s ban on the export of raw minerals, describing the move as long overdue and a major step towards strengthening value addition and beneficiation in the country.
ZMF president Henrietta Rushwaya said the policy would help Zimbabwe unlock the full value of its vast mineral resources, improve returns for local miners, and contribute more meaningfully to national economic growth.
“This process was long overdue. Government has taken a bold move, given the fact that Zimbabwe has a rich mineral resource base, and for Zimbabwe the opportunity to maximise on the true value of its products is only reflective due to this exercise,” said Rushwaya.
She said the government’s decision is in line with a broader continental push towards industrial transformation, where African countries are increasingly prioritising beneficiation and reducing dependence on raw material exports.
“The position assumed by government is reflective to the trajectory across Africa, where nations are benchmarking industrial transformation through resource beneficiation, and reducing dependence on raw material exports to develop our economy,” she said.
Rushwaya added that the shift marks a turning point for Zimbabwe’s mining sector, as the country moves from simply supplying raw minerals to competing for greater value in global markets.
“This is a shift from being a global supplier to a global negotiator, and as such, processed minerals command significantly higher prices,” she said.
