Story by Batsirai Shoko
ZIMBABWE is accelerating efforts to modernise its mining sector through the adoption of advanced digital surveying technology aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and security in the administration of mining rights.
For years, overlapping mining claims, boundary disputes and lengthy administrative processes have presented challenges to investment and mineral development. The introduction of modern geospatial technology is expected to address these challenges while strengthening investor confidence in the country’s mining industry.
The technological upgrade is also expected to reinforce the mining sector’s role as a key pillar of Zimbabwe’s economic growth by ensuring that property rights are accurately recorded, protected and managed.
Chief Mining Surveyor in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Mr Alfred Tawengwa, said the newly acquired equipment will play a critical role in the ongoing digitisation of the country’s mining title registration system.
“The equipment we acquired from Optron is very important to us. It will help us improve our work, particularly as we seek to modernise the system for registering mining titles. We want the system to be computerised, digitised and globally competitive so that it contributes to economic growth.
“It will also create a transparent system that safeguards mining rights and enhances security in the administration of mining claims,” he said.
Industry experts say the adoption of the technology will significantly improve accuracy and reduce errors associated with traditional surveying methods.
The enhanced precision is expected to minimise disputes over mining concessions and ensure that mining activities are conducted within legally recognised boundaries.
“The technology improves accuracy, efficiency and accountability, which are critical for the effective management of mining rights and land resources. The training programme will help surveyors accurately identify mining claim holders and establish the exact location of their operations.
“It will also help prevent encroachment on other people’s claims by clearly defining boundaries. This equipment offers significantly greater accuracy than the systems previously used. In the past, measurements could be off by as much as five metres,” said a technical expert involved in the training programme.
The deployment of the technology is being spearheaded by Optron, a leading distributor of advanced geospatial hardware and software solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Optron representative Mr Lazarus Mampa said the company is providing specialised training to Ministry of Mines personnel to ensure the effective utilisation of the new equipment.
“We are providing training on the equipment procured by the Ministry, including the Trimble GNSS R12i base and rover system, the Trimble C5 Total Station and supporting software for processing field data.
“This equipment will enable mine surveyors and cadastral surveyors to accurately measure land parcels, manage land resources and undertake land administration in accordance with the regulations governing land measurement, mining rights and land allocation in Zimbabwe,” he said.
The digital transformation comes as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to position itself as a competitive and investor-friendly mining destination by leveraging technology to strengthen governance, improve regulatory certainty and unlock greater value from its vast mineral resources.
The initiative is expected to contribute to the broader modernisation of the mining sector while supporting the country’s drive towards sustainable economic growth and increased mineral production.
