Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando has called on the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe to introduce a new, community-focused assessment tool — a “State of the Community Survey” — saying miners must not rely solely on internal performance indicators or investor-driven metrics when evaluating their impact.
Speaking at the 2025 State of the Mining Industry Report Breakfast Seminar in Harare, Chitando said the mining sector’s long-term success depends not only on production figures and profitability but also on how mining companies are perceived by the communities they operate in. He warned that without an honest, structured evaluation of social impact, miners risk losing public trust and undermining the sector’s credibility.
The proposed survey would measure how communities view mining operations, whether companies are complying with Environmental Impact Assessment obligations, and if miners are acting as responsible social partners. It would also assess how mining activities affect local livelihoods, land rights, service delivery, and community development.
Chitando stressed that the initiative is urgently needed, arguing that one company’s irresponsible behavior can tarnish the reputation of the entire industry. He added that a community-centric survey would enhance transparency, strengthen accountability, and consolidate the social license to operate that all mining companies depend on.
