The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development says Zimbabwe is moving to expand its mineral value chain by promoting local beneficiation and sustainable mining practices.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe Alternative Mining Indaba in Bulawayo, Brian Muteta, Deputy Director for Non-Energy Minerals (Base Metals), said that the Ministry aims to move beyond raw material extraction and focus on creating finished products that generate more value.
“Zimbabwe’s minerals shouldn’t just be stones in the ground,” Muteta said. “There are processes that can turn these resources into end-use products, like electric vehicle components. If we participate in creating such products, we attract more value into the economy.”
The Ministry says it is aligning these efforts with the National Development Strategy (NDS1), which has identified five key mineral value chains—gold, platinum, diamonds, chrome, and lithium. The goal is to increase local value addition and reduce reliance on fossil fuels by promoting environmentally friendly energy solutions.
Muteta noted that government policies are being adjusted to encourage investment in beneficiation plants and resource exploration. “Attracting investment to move up the value chain is a major challenge. That’s why it’s critical to define and quantify our mineral resources so investors know what’s underground,” he said.
The Ministry says exploration efforts are essential to attach a financial value to the country’s mineral reserves, which will pave the way for sustainable mining development. Muteta also stressed the importance of balancing economic benefits with environmental conservation, saying that social, ecological, and financial costs must be taken into account.
As part of these efforts, the Ministry plans to establish a mineral resource data bank to improve transparency and attract investors. “Although developing the data bank will be expensive, the government is committed to ensuring Zimbabwe moves up the economic value chain,” Muteta added.
The Ministry says investment in infrastructure, such as steel plants, will require clearer policies to guide resource extraction. “If we know exactly how much iron ore we have, we can attract the right investors and develop the industry sustainably,” Muteta said.
The government believes that these measures will generate long-term economic benefits while minimizing the environmental impact of mining.
