Story by Farai Gwaze
ZIMBABWE is intensifying efforts to attract sustainable mining investment and promote value addition as government and industry leaders engage global players at the ongoing African Mining Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.
The engagements are positioning the country as a competitive and value-driven mining destination, anchored on beneficiation, industrialisation and long-term socio-economic growth.
Zimbabwe’s mining sector continues to draw strong international interest, with global industry leaders commending the country’s mineral assets, productivity levels and growing emphasis on sustainability.
At the conference, high-level discussions between Zimbabwean officials and international partners centred on technology transfer, environmental stewardship and skills development, as the country seeks to strengthen partnerships that deliver mutual benefit.
Valterra Board Chairperson, Mr Norman Mbazima, said Zimbabwe remains a key investment destination within the company’s global portfolio.
“Our mine in Zimbabwe, Unki, is one of the best in our portfolio in terms of mechanisation, productivity and producing the best metal. It is key to us and key to Zimbabwe, and this engagement is about ensuring an enabling environment for future success,” he said.
Sweden’s Deputy Minister of Trade and Promotion, Honourable Diana Janse, highlighted opportunities for collaboration in sustainable mining technologies.
“It is good to meet with the Minister at this mining exhibition. Swedish companies have a lot to offer the mining industry, particularly in sustainable equipment from an environmental and social perspective,” she said.
The United Kingdom also expressed interest in strengthening cooperation with Zimbabwe in geological surveying and environmental management.
“I met the new Minister of Mines and we had fruitful discussions on exchanging expertise in geological surveying and managing the mining environment to ensure maximum national benefit,” said UK Trade Commissioner for Africa, Mr John Humphrey.
Government officials say these engagements form part of a broader strategy to reposition Zimbabwe’s mining sector beyond the export of raw minerals towards value addition and industrial development.
Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Honourable Polite Kambamura, underscored the need for Africa to shift from being a supplier of raw materials to becoming a hub of processing and innovation.
“When we speak of beneficiation, we are not just speaking about industrial processes. We are talking about justice, jobs and the future of our continent. Africa is no longer content with being a spectator on the global map. We are a destination of choice for innovation, a hub of processing and the nucleus for industrialisation. Stronger together, we must move from exporting raw potential to exporting value. To our investors, the message is clear — the era of dig and ship must be buried in our history,” he said.
Authorities reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to creating a predictable and investor-friendly environment that supports sustainable mining practices while ensuring long-term socio-economic benefits for the country.
The conference continues to serve as a strategic platform for Zimbabwe to showcase its mineral potential, policy reforms and vision for a modernised, value-driven mining sector.
