Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere in Bulawayo
President Mnangagwa has reiterated that Zimbabwe will no longer export raw minerals, warning that the era of consignments leaving the country disguised as “ore” or “concentrates” while containing valuable rare earth minerals is over.
In a speech read on his behalf by Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga, at Mine-Entra in Bulawayo yesterday, where he officiated the opening of the 28th edition of the Mining, Engineering and Transport Conference, the President said the country would never go back to the old era.
Vice President Dr Kembo Mohadi also attended the official opening.
President Mnangagwa said his Government is determined to accelerate the shift from exporting raw materials to value addition, beneficiation and industrialisation to benefit ordinary Zimbabweans.
The President said his administration is strengthening strategic governance approach through a “whole of Government and society” approach aimed at practical problem-solving and deeper stakeholder engagement.
This year’s conference theme, is “Unearth, Transform, Prosper: Anchoring Economic Transformation Through Mining Value Chains”, and the President noted that the conference has grown from a trade show into a platform where ideas translate into policy with real economic benefits.
“Zimbabwe is acclaimed for high deposits of critical minerals and for a long time was a renowned source of raw minerals for other global industries, while our own became stagnant and antiquated,” said President Mnangagwa.
“We have said, ‘Not any more’. Under my leadership and administration, that narrative is changing. I urge stakeholders and partners to decisively and boldly transition to this new reality.
“The steps we are taking have not been undertaken by many, on our continent or the global south; but as a sovereign nation and masters of our own destiny, I am confident that we are up to the challenge.
“The world economic dynamics are changing fast, and all sectors of the economy must constantly evolve in our national interest,” said President Mnangagwa.
He warned that loopholes and manipulation in the mining sector have historically undermined Zimbabwe’s interests, particularly through systems that allowed exports to be processed in ways that did not maximise national benefit.
“The days when consignments leave our borders, declared simply as ‘ore’ or ‘concentrates’, meanwhile containing valuable and rare earth minerals are over,” said President Mnangagwa.
He further vowed that the Government is “wide awake,” and that harmful practices will no longer be tolerated, while corrupt officials and those shielding wrongdoing for bribes will face stern action.
“Corrupt public sector officials and inspectors who turn a blind eye to breaches of our laws, in return for sleazy bribes, will be sternly dealt with,” said President Mnangagwa.
Reinforcing Zimbabwe’s beneficiation roadmap, the President announced a key export timeline.
“By January 2027, Zimbabwe will only export Lithium Sulphate,” the Government has put in place an “orderly quota arrangement” to ensure no responsible operator is forced to shut down during the transition.
President Mnangagwa said progress is already underway in the lithium sub-sector, pointing out that in April, Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe dispatched the first-ever export of locally produced lithium sulphate, a milestone he described as the first of its kind in Africa.
He also challenged investors behind major future projects, including those for a second lithium sulphate plant at Bikita, Masvingo, a third at Kamativi, Matabeleland North and a state enterprise operation at Sandawana, urging speedy completion so Zimbabwe can host multiple lithium-processing operations on the continent.
The President said beneficiation policies must extend beyond lithium, including the platinum group metals sector, where he called for the completion of a precious minerals refinery without indefinite extensions.
“We must continue on this bold path. Our minerals are in the ground and will be ‘unearthed to transform and prosper’ our people, on our terms.
“My administration will not broker conditions where the health, livelihoods and general wellbeing of communities are compromised for profit expediency.”
The President also highlighted progress in national gold reserves, saying Zimbabwe has grown its gold reserves to over 4.6 tonnes held at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Eng Polite Kambamura, said the government’s reforms, aimed at boosting local value addition, will be sustained to support the growth of local industries.
He reported that the mining sector has recorded impressive performance in the first half of the year, with output exceeding US$5.3 billion.
This growth has occurred even as the government has halted the export of raw minerals, Minister Kambamura said. The results are “not accidental,” but the direct outcome of policy reforms designed to ensure mining plays a critical role in national economic development.
Also, the Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndhlovu cited figures showing that, if addressed, they could boost local industry.
He said the mining sector spends about US$3.4 billion annually on equipment, logistics and other consumables, with only 15 per cent sourced locally and 85 percent going to imports.
Chamber of Mines president Mr Fungai Makoni said the mining sector is expected to generate more than US$11 billion this year in exports, up from US$8.5 billion recorded last year.
He also thanked the Government for its reforms, noting that Cabinet has approved measures to advance ease of doing business. Mr Makoni said the harmonisation of mining levies is expected to improve the operating environment for the sector.
ZITF board chairperson Busisa Moyo said Mine-Entra continues to bring significant business to Bulawayo. He said this year’s fair has a strong international character, with 54 foreign exhibitors, representing about 20 percent of the total exhibitors.
