Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
INVESTOR confidence in Zimbabwe’s mining sector continues to strengthen, with more than US$400 million worth of mining licences approved in the last quarter of 2025, signalling growing appetite from both local and international players.
The surge in investment interest reflects the impact of ongoing economic reforms aimed at positioning Zimbabwe as a stable and attractive destination for global capital, according to figures released at a joint Government and Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) meeting held in Harare on Thursday.
Statistics presented at the meeting show that over 100 mining licences were approved during the period under review, underscoring the sector’s central role in driving economic growth.
ZIDA chief executive officer Mr Tafadzwa Chinamo said the dialogue between Government and investors was critical in unlocking the sector’s full potential.
“Today’s dialogue is a critical step forward; it provides the platform we need to candidly interrogate our challenges, align on practical solutions, and explore bankable, transparent pathways for private sector participation,” Mr Chinamo said.
“Unlocking Zimbabwe’s mining potential is a shared responsibility that requires trust, alignment and coordinated execution. Stronger inter-agency collaboration across ministries and departments is key to reducing bottlenecks and facilitating increased investment,” he added.
While welcoming the growing global interest in Zimbabwe’s mineral resources, Government officials emphasised the need to move beyond extraction and prioritise value addition to maximise returns.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Mr Pfungwa Kunaka, said beneficiation remains a key pillar under the National Development Strategy Two (NDS2).
“Under NDS2, value addition and beneficiation are key priorities as the country works to put in place workable policies that attract investors,” Mr Kunaka said. “The meeting reflects continued engagement between ZIDA and Government in sustaining the nation’s investment needs.”
Among the resolutions adopted was the need for closer follow-up on approved projects to ensure implementation, enabling the economy to realise full value from its mineral wealth.
