Chamber of Mines Demands Power Prioritization Amid Crisis.

The Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe (CoMZ) has urged the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) to prioritize the mining sector as power shortages disrupt operations. Thomas Gono, President of CoMZ, reported that frequent power outages are causing production delays and rising costs, forcing mines to rely on costly diesel generators.

Gono emphasized the need for stable power to sustain mining activities, which significantly contribute to Zimbabwe’s GDP and export revenue. The government has mandated ferrochrome miners to establish their own power sources by 2026 due to rising energy demands. ZESA, which currently produces 1,400 MW of electricity against a capacity of 2,000 MW, plans to add 2,300 MW by 2025, with most allocated to the mining sector.