Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
ONCE renowned primarily for its coal, Hwange District is rapidly transforming into the epicentre of Zimbabwe’s mineral beneficiation drive, attracting over US$720 million in modern mining investments and reaffirming its position as a hub for economic growth and structural transformation.
This shift aligns directly with the Government’s long-standing call for value addition and beneficiation of the country’s raw minerals.
The policy, championed by the Second Republic, seeks to move Zimbabwe up the global value chain by processing minerals locally before export, thereby retaining more value, creating skilled jobs and stimulating industrial development.
In an interview with Sunday News, Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo revealed that the investments in Hwange are part of key high-impact projects from 2021-2025.
The district is now home to a cluster of at least six major mining and processing projects, alongside two significant projects in Binga, all focused on moving beyond mere extraction.
The investments are substantial and diverse.
“The colossal Kamativi Lithium Mine, a US$249 million project commissioned in April 2024, has already created over 1 200 jobs. Complementing this is the Dinson Coking Plant, a US$50 million venture that has created more than 1 100 new jobs, transforming raw coal into higher-value coking coal for industrial use,” said Minister Moyo.
Further cementing Hwange’s status in value addition is the US$400 million ZhongJin Heli Energy project, which includes a coke processing plant and a thermal power station.
Similarly, the Zimbabwe Zhongxin Company’s coking operation, initiated in 2018, is already operational, while another Zimbabwe Zhongxin project is at 95 percent completion.
These projects explicitly aim to increase export earnings and boost provincial GDP through processing.
In neighbouring Binga District, the Muchesu Coal Mine (US$20 million) and the Bravura Kamativi Lithium Project are set to create a combined 2 400 job opportunities for locals, indicating the spread of economic benefits across the province.
The infrastructural backbone supporting this industrial boom is also being strengthened.
The Hwange Thermal Power Station Unit 7 and 8 Expansion, a US$1,5 billion project funded by a Chinese loan and commissioned in August 2023, ensures stable energy for these industries. Critical linkages are being built, such as the newly commissioned Somgolo Bridge in Lupane, improving access for communities and commerce.
Minister Moyo highlighted the strategic significance of these developments.
He said the concentration of processing plants alongside mines is a direct implementation of national policy, turning Matabeleland North, with Hwange at the forefront, into a critical driver of national economic ambitions.
“These projects are not just about mining anymore. They are about building industries. We are seeing a clear move from exporting raw lithium and coal to processing them into concentrates, coke, and even energy right here. This is how you build a resilient economy — by capturing the value chain locally,” he said.
The expected impacts outlined by Minister Moyo are multifaceted: thousands of direct and indirect jobs, massive investment in local infrastructure and services, increased Government revenue, and a significant uplift in the provincial and national GDP.
