Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe nqobile-Zimpapers Business Hub
ZIMBABWE must urgently intensify mineral exploration to unlock the full value of its vast mineral wealth, attract international exploration capital and secure the long-term growth of the mining industry, the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe (CoMZ) has said.
Speaking during the inaugural Exploration Symposium held as part of the 29th edition of the 2026 Mine Entra in Bulawayo on Thursday, CoMZ president Mr Fungai Makoni said exploration remains the bedrock of a sustainable mining industry and should be elevated to a national priority.
The symposium, one of the flagship events of Mine Entra 2026, was held under the theme “Unearth, Transform, Prosper: Anchoring Economic Transformation through Mining Value Chains,” and brought together Government policymakers, geologists, mining executives, global exploration experts, investors, financial institutions and development partners to explore strategies for accelerating mineral discoveries and strengthening Zimbabwe’s mining value chain.
The call comes as Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to expand its mining industry through the discovery of new deposits to sustain long-term production, attract fresh investment and advance its ambition of building a US$12 billion mining economy.
Mr Makoni said the country’s mining industry had registered remarkable growth over the past decade, although most of the expansion had come from existing operations rather than discoveries.
“Today’s Exploration Symposium comes at a time when the mining industry has embarked on a vibrant growth path, which has seen the sector’s contribution to the national economy more than double over the past decade.
“The industry’s contribution to GDP has increased from approximately 8 percent in 2016 to nearly 18 percent in 2026, while mineral exports have grown from around US$3 billion to more than US$8 billion over the same period.
“This growth has emanated mainly from expansion and brownfields projects, with few greenfields projects having been discovered in the past 10 years,” he said.
Mr Makoni said despite Zimbabwe possessing one of Africa’s richest and most diverse mineral endowments, exploration activity has lagged behind the country’s geological potential.
“Our country boasts over 60 economically exploitable minerals that are critical to the global energy transition.
“Despite this exceptional mineral wealth, it is widely acknowledged that Zimbabwe remains significantly unexplored.
“Large portions of our greenstone belts, sedimentary basins and frontier geological terrains have not benefited from modern exploration.
“This presents an enormous opportunity for discoveries that can transform our mining sector and contribute meaningfully to national economic development,” he said.
daniel chigunwe