Story by Yolanda Moyo
ZIMBABWE is accelerating efforts to consolidate its position in the global chromium value chain, with Vice President General (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga saying Government is aligning mining incentives with energy investments to drive industrialisation.
The remarks were made during the second Africa Chromium Week held in Victoria Falls, hosted by the International Chromium Development Association.
Following Government’s reinstatement of the chrome ore export ban in 2022, concerns had been raised over Zimbabwe’s smelting capacity and power supply. However, authorities say ongoing investments are addressing these challenges while strengthening value addition in the sector.
Government has since scaled up production capacity, with Zimbabwe now operating 17 ferrochrome smelters and exports surpassing 400 000 metric tonnes, reflecting a 19 percent year-on-year increase.
Vice President Chiwenga said Government policy is now deliberately structured to support beneficiation, innovation and industrial growth.
“Zimbabwe offers a clear value proposition, resource certainty and a Government fully committed to value addition and industrial transformation. The opportunity before us is immediate and scalable: to deploy capital into beneficiation, to co-develop energy solutions, to establish downstream industries and to embed innovation across the chromium value chain,” he said.
The Vice President also outlined ongoing efforts to strengthen energy supply to support industrial expansion.
“Ferrochrome smelting remains one of the world’s most energy-intensive metallurgical processes. While Zimbabwe’s power constraints have historically limited beneficiation, that narrative is shifting. We are offering subsidised electricity tariffs to ferrochrome producers during this transition period while mandating captive power development. The Zimplats One Hundred- and Ten-Megawatt solar plant at Selous is progressing, thermal power units at Hwange are being rehabilitated and we intend to develop gas-to-power once the Muzarabani hydrocarbon project in the Zambezi Valley becomes a reality. Let me highlight that the Government’s policy is straightforward: chrome smelters that invest in their own captive power will receive commensurate mining titles and fiscal support. We are building a new energy architecture to underpin a new industrial Zimbabwe,” he said.
Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Polite Kambamura, said unlocking full value in the sector requires closing the gap between installed capacity and production.
“Despite our solid resource base and growing output, smelter capacity utilisation remains at around 68 percent. This gap between our installed capacity and actual production is where focused policy, strategic investment, and strong partnerships must converge,” he said.
Executive Director of the International Chromium Development Association, Ms Sheraz Neffati, said regional economic blocs have a critical role in strengthening Africa’s chromium value chain.
“Success here requires looking beyond borders. Regional economic communities, such as the Southern African Development Community, COMESA, and the Economic Community of Central African States, serve as essential sub-continental platforms. They provide the necessary framework to support the kind of coordination required for Africa to dominate the global chromium value chain,” she said.
Momentum for the industrial shift received further support after Cabinet approved the Minerals Value Chain: From Mining to Beneficiation, Industrialisation and Exportation framework, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s strategy to maximise returns from its chrome resources while promoting industrial growth and job creation.
