Kamativi Mine revival drives community empowerment through local tender model

Luzyalo Mwembe and her fellow female co- directors touring the area her company will be working on

Fairness Moyana in Kamativi, [email protected]

ONCE a dormant giant defined by crumbling infrastructure and fading hopes, the historic Kamativi Tin Mine is steadily transforming into a hub of opportunity as Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) rolls out an ambitious community empowerment programme anchored on local participation and inclusive growth.

At the heart of the initiative is a deliberate policy to award tenders to companies formed by members of the Kamativi community — a move that is not only creating jobs but also placing locals at the centre of decision making.

Two such companies, Tendering Lion and Chisizya Power Construction Company, have already secured contracts covering engineering, housekeeping, safety and health services.

What makes the model unique is that community members are seconded to sit on the boards of these companies, giving locals a direct stake in governance and operations. Among the directors are three women and a 26-year- old youth — a deliberate push to advance gender equality and youth inclusion in line with modern corporate standards.

KMC public relations officer, Rutendo Mapfumo, said the initiative formalises a long standing relationship between the mine and surrounding communities.

“KMC is formalising a longstanding partnership with Kamativi-based enterprises by awarding tenders to capable local firms for engineering, road construction, housekeeping, and related services. These contracts help local companies professionalise operations, secure steady income, and grow alongside KMC,” said Mapfumo.

She said that prioritising local suppliers strengthens community trust while ensuring sustainable business operations.

“This approach enables job creation, skills transfer and income generation within the community, which ultimately enhances both social cohesion and operational resilience,” said Mapfumo.

For beneficiaries, the impact is already tangible. Luzyalo Mwembe (26), a co director at Chisizya Power Construction Company, described the opportunity as life changing.

“I’m very grateful to KMC. Being appointed as a director gives me financial stability and the confidence to contribute meaningfully to my community. This opportunity will not only uplift me but also help improve livelihoods in Kamativi,” she said.

More community groups are set to benefit, with another consortium expected to be awarded construction tenders as KMC moves to rehabilitate worn out buildings and upgrade the area’s poor road network.

Meanwhile, community leaders have welcomed the development, with Kamativi Residents Association chairman, Mr Timothy Mvula, applauding the initiative and saying it reflects a genuine commitment to grassroots empowerment.

“We commend KMC for deliberately involving local people in its operations. These community companies were formed by residents coming together, and this support gives them real economic power.

It is a practical example of how mining companies can uplift communities by ensuring locals are not just spectators, but active participants,” he said.

Kamativi Tin Mine, once one of Zimbabwe’s largest tin producers, ceased operations in 1994, leaving behind a ghost town marked by unemployment and economic decline.

For years, the vast resource lay idle — until fresh investment by Yahua Group injected new life into the operation.

The revival has not only restored industrial activity but also reignited hope for thousands of residents who had long endured economic hardship.

Today, under KMC, the mine is being repositioned as a modern operation guided by Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles, with community development at its core.

The company’s local procurement strategy dovetails with the Government’s thrust on inclusive economic growth and devolution, contributing towards the attainment of Vision 2030 — Zimbabwe’s goal of becoming an upper middle income economy.

By embedding communities into its value chain, KMC is not only rebuilding infrastructure but also reconstructing livelihoods — turning Kamativi from a relic of the past into a model for sustainable, community-driven mining development.