As global competition for critical minerals intensifies and governments seek greater returns from natural resources, Zimbabwe’s mining industry will gather next week to tackle a question that could define the sector’s future: how to turn mineral wealth into broader economic prosperity.
That debate will take centre stage at the 2026 Annual Mining Conference, Zimbabwe’s flagship mining event, where executives, policymakers and international experts are expected to examine ways of unlocking more value from the country’s gold, lithium, platinum and energy resources. Organised by the Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines, the conference will be held from June 17 to 20 under the theme “Unlock Value, Maximise Benefits, Sustain Growth.”
Speaking ahead of the event, Chamber of Mines Chief Executive Officer Dr Isaac Kwesu said this year’s programme has been expanded to include five dedicated symposiums, reflecting the growing importance of mining in driving Zimbabwe’s economic growth agenda.
“The theme recognises the need for sustaining the growth of our mining industry and ensuring that we maximise its contribution to the socio-economic wellbeing of the citizens of the country,” said Kwesu during a media briefing on Friday.
The conference comes at a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
Mining remains the country’s largest source of export earnings and one of the most significant contributors to economic activity. The sector has benefited from rising global demand for critical minerals, particularly lithium, which has become a key component in electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies.
Zimbabwe possesses some of Africa’s largest known lithium deposits and has attracted substantial foreign investment over the past several years, particularly from Chinese mining companies seeking to secure supplies for global battery manufacturing chains.
Yet despite growing investment and production, policymakers and industry leaders continue to grapple with a familiar challenge: how to ensure the country captures a greater share of the value generated by its mineral resources.
The issue extends beyond extraction.
Government has increasingly emphasised beneficiation, value addition and local processing as essential pillars of economic development. The objective is to move beyond exporting raw minerals toward developing industries capable of producing higher-value products, creating jobs and generating greater revenues within the domestic economy.
Those questions are expected to dominate discussions throughout the four-day gathering.
Unlike previous editions, organisers have expanded the conference structure to include five specialised symposiums designed to address emerging trends and challenges across different mineral sectors.
Proceedings will begin on June 17 with a dedicated symposium focusing on sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues, an area that has become increasingly important for investors and mining companies worldwide.
The prominence given to ESG reflects changing realities within the global mining industry.
Investors, lenders and downstream manufacturers are increasingly scrutinising environmental performance, community engagement and governance practices before committing capital or entering supply agreements. Mining companies are under growing pressure to demonstrate responsible operations as international markets place greater emphasis on sustainability.
Industry analysts say Zimbabwe’s ability to attract long-term investment will depend not only on the quality of its mineral deposits but also on its ability to align with evolving global standards.
The second day of the conference will feature four specialised symposiums covering gold, lithium and critical minerals, platinum group metals, and coal, oil and gas.
The structure reflects the diversity of Zimbabwe’s mineral portfolio and the varying challenges confronting different subsectors.
Gold continues to anchor the country’s mineral exports, while platinum group metals remain a strategic resource due to their applications in industrial manufacturing and clean energy technologies. Lithium has emerged as one of the fastest-growing segments of the mining industry, while coal continues to play a critical role in energy generation and industrial production.
“We have enriched the event by increasing the number of symposiums to ensure that we capture all pertinent issues relating to mineral subsectors that are currently driving the growth of our economy,” Kwesu said.
The main conference, scheduled for June 19, will be officially opened by Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura, who is expected to outline government’s policy direction for the sector.
Other senior government officials expected to participate include Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo and Deputy Finance Minister David Mnangagwa.
The presence of senior policymakers highlights the strategic significance of mining within Zimbabwe’s broader economic framework.
Industry participants are expected to engage government on issues ranging from taxation and royalties to infrastructure development, energy supply, foreign currency retention and regulatory reforms.
Reliable power supply remains one of the most pressing concerns for mining companies, particularly as new projects come online and existing operations expand production.
Similarly, investors continue to monitor policy consistency and regulatory certainty, factors widely regarded as critical for attracting long-term capital into large-scale mining ventures.
International expertise will also feature prominently during the conference.
Among the invited speakers are Mike Teke, President of Future Coal; Geerk Klok, Vice President of the Mozambique Chamber of Mines; Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Chamber of Mines; and RJ Coetzee, Senior Researcher at SFA Oxford.
Their participation is expected to provide insights into global commodity markets, energy transitions, investment trends and strategies adopted by other mining jurisdictions.
For Zimbabwe, such perspectives could prove particularly valuable as the country seeks to position itself within increasingly competitive global mineral supply chains.
Around the world, governments are racing to secure access to critical minerals needed for the energy transition, while mining jurisdictions compete for investment from multinational corporations and institutional investors.
This has elevated the importance of policy stability, infrastructure readiness and value-chain development.
Industry observers note that countries capable of offering both resource security and favourable investment environments are likely to attract a disproportionate share of future capital flows.
Zimbabwe’s abundant mineral endowment places it in a strong position, but sustained success will require balancing investor expectations with national development priorities.
Beyond the formal discussions, the conference will also serve as a networking platform for mining executives, investors, suppliers and policymakers.
Side events will include exhibitions, dinners, cocktail functions and a golf tournament on the final day.
According to organisers, interest in the conference has exceeded expectations, forcing them to limit attendance because of venue capacity constraints.
“We have invited all stakeholders to this important event on the mining calendar, and I must say that the response has been overwhelming,” said Kwesu.
Attendance is expected to be capped at approximately 500 delegates.
The strong response underscores the growing significance of Zimbabwe’s mining sector, both domestically and internationally.
As governments around the world compete for strategic mineral investments and investors seek opportunities in resource-rich jurisdictions, Zimbabwe finds itself at the centre of conversations shaping the future of global mining.
For industry leaders gathering next week, the challenge will not simply be increasing production.
The bigger question is whether Zimbabwe can leverage its vast mineral wealth to drive industrialisation, create jobs, strengthen communities and sustain economic growth long after the minerals leave the ground.
The answers emerging from the 2026 Annual Mining Conference may help determine how successfully the country navigates that journey.
