Online Reporter
Judith Phiri [email protected]
Kamativi Mining Company (KMC) and the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on scholarships and talent development.
The agreement marks a significant step forward for KMC in deepening local talent development overseas and fulfilling its social responsibility commitments.
In a statement, the company said ZSM is one of the country’s leading institutions delivering mining related diploma and vocational technical education, having long supplied Zimbabwe’s mining industry with highly skilled, practice oriented technical talent.
“The newly signed MOU establishes a long term, stable cooperation framework between the two parties covering scholarship support, internship and employment pathways, staff skill development and knowledge transfer.
“As well as joint curriculum development, scientific research and innovation and community empowerment, pursuant to which a training center and bases for mining industry managerial professionals will be set up,” read part of the statement.
“Through this deeper integration of industry, academia, and research, the partnership aims to supply outstanding technical talent to Zimbabwe’s mining sector while providing strong talent support for the sustained, stable operation of the Kamativi Lithium Mine project.”
KMC’s scholarship programme was established in 2025 to support students from communities around the mining area, prioritising those from financially disadvantaged backgrounds with strong academic records.
For the 2026 academic year, the company said the number of scholarship recipients grew from eight to 10, with current beneficiaries studying core disciplines including mining engineering, metallurgical engineering, mining geology, metallurgical analysis, mine surveying and occupational health and safety.
KMC added: “ZSM also outlined its latest academic development plans, which include construction of an experimental mine, upgrades to its international-standard analytical laboratory, integration of drone pilot certification into the full curriculum, and secondment of lecturers to mining enterprises for practical, hands-on training.”
KMC representatives briefed attendees on the shareholders background of Yahua Group, and Defold, the company’s global footprint and the strategic importance of the Kamativi Lithium Mine project.
“As the company’s planned lithium sulphate processing plant moves forward, the scale of local employment is expected to keep increasing,” said KMC Human Resources Manager, Mr Joseph Tshuma.
“KMC has encouraged the school to proactively incorporate technical teaching related to the lithium salt industry chain. At the same time, we will rely on the school’s support to advance employee skills enhancement and localization training, while increasing assistance to communities in North Matabeleland Province and around the project area.”
ZSM principal Engineer Edwin Gwaze thanked KMC for its long-term support and praised the sense of responsibility the company has demonstrated as a Chinese enterprise operating in Zimbabwe.
Looking ahead, both sides plan to deepen their overseas school-enterprise cooperation and work together to build a
green, sustainable and mutually beneficial model mining project.
