Story by Memory Chamisa
GOVERNMENT has intensified efforts to shift Zimbabwe’s mining sector from raw mineral exports to value addition and beneficiation, as part of a broader push to accelerate industrialisation and economic growth.
The thrust came into sharp focus this Monday during an oral evidence session where the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development engaged the Ministry over issues raised in the Auditor General’s 2025 budget report.
Led by Chairperson Honourable Remigio Matangira, the committee queried Ministry officials on procurement processes, human capital development, beneficiation and the sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product, amid concerns over funding gaps.
“Oral evidence sessions are done to ensure accountability and transparency in the sector. From the 2025 Auditor-General’s report, we have noted some discrepancies within the Ministry. One of the main concerns is the gap between the Ministry and the Finance Ministry in terms of budget allocation and disbursement of funds. As the committee responsible, we will push for this to be addressed so that the Ministry can perform its obligations,” he said.
Responding to the issues, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Mr Pfungwa Kunaka, highlighted delays in the disbursement of funds as a major constraint affecting operations.
“As one of the key ministries anchoring the country’s economic development, we have been facing a number of challenges as highlighted in the Auditor-General’s report, including procurement delays due to non-payment of suppliers caused by delayed Treasury disbursements. The sector is enabled by technological innovation, and without timely procurement, mining operations cannot progress effectively. Environmental issues also come into play, governed by both local and international regulatory frameworks. Human capital development is critical in ensuring a capacitated workforce across all levels,” he said.
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development remains a key driver of Zimbabwe’s economic growth, targeting over 60 mineral types for value addition and beneficiation.
The sector contributes more than 12 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product and is central to efforts to promote investment, formalise small-scale mining and increase foreign currency earnings.
