The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) has called on the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to empower young people, particularly women, through increased support in the mining sector.
Speaking during a budget consultation submission to Parliament, ZIMCODD project lead Tashinga Zamba highlighted several key demands aimed at enhancing youth participation and ensuring transparency in mining operations. “The government must prioritize putting up a fund through the Ministry to support women and girls engaged in mining activities across different mining areas,” Zamba said.
He emphasized the need to establish a capacitation system that automates mining operations and tracks both production and ownership.
“We need to automate and ensure we know where our mines are, who is mining there, and how much they are producing,” Zamba added, stressing that transparency in ownership is crucial for accountability.
The ZIMCODD representative further urged the government to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) among mining companies. “It’s critical that companies give back to the communities they operate in. We shouldn’t be left with diseases like tuberculosis caused by mining activities without any benefits to show,” he said.
As the government prepares for the 2025 national budget, ZIMCODD is pushing for policies that will ensure communities directly benefit from mining activities. Zamba called for improved regulation to ensure that mining entities contribute meaningfully to local development.
“Going into 2025, companies must give back to the community to ensure we all benefit from our natural resources,” Zamba concluded, urging the government to foster equitable and sustainable growth through mining.
The appeal comes amid growing concerns over the lack of youth involvement and inadequate support for women in Zimbabwe’s mining industry. With mining a key sector in the country’s economy, stakeholders hope that the 2025 budget will address these concerns and create opportunities for marginalized groups.
