Online Reporter
Herald Reporter
THE appointment of Dr Polite Kambamura as Minister of Mines and Mining Development brings into Cabinet a seasoned mining engineer, accomplished academic, and strategic thinker whose influence has shaped the direction of Zimbabwe’s mining sector over the past two decades.
Widely regarded as one of the country’s most experienced mining professionals, Dr Kambamura steps into the role with a wealth of expertise spanning mine management, policy formulation, mineral economics and technological innovation.
Born of a strong technical background, Dr Kambamura holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Mining Engineering from Copperstone University, earned in 2021.
Prior to that, he completed a Master of Business Administration in 2019 at the same institution.
His academic achievements continued to grow, culminating in his 2025 graduation from Bindura University of Science Education with a Masters in Natural Resources Management and Environmental Sustainability.
He completed the degree with distinction, earning the Vice Chancellor’s Prize as the best graduating student.
He also holds a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Zimbabwe, obtained in 2002.
His professional development has extended beyond Zimbabwe’s borders. In 2025, he attained a Graduate Associate Certificate in Business Optimisation in Mining from the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM), along with a Graduate Certificate in Finance and Economics in Mining from the University of Toronto under the Mining Industry Management Programme (MIMP).
He is also an associate member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) an acclaimed international board of mining professionals
He is currently finalising a Master’s in Public Policy and Governance with Africa University and pursuing a second PhD in Entrepreneurship and Business Sciences with Chinhoyi University of Technology, both set for completion in 2026.
Dr Kambamura is no stranger to the upper echelons of Zimbabwe’s mining governance. Before his elevation to Minister, he served as Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development from 2018, a period that saw him working closely with the ministry leadership and key industry stakeholders.
Together with the Ministry and Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines, he played a role developing an algorithm for the historic US$12 billion Mining Sector Roadmap a strategic blueprint that transformed the sector’s performance, growing it from US$2,7 billion in 2017 to its current significant contribution to the national GDP.
His work in this regard cemented his reputation as a results-driven strategist with deep insight into mineral value chains and national economic planning.
In recognition of his leadership potential and professional excellence, he was honoured with the Rising Star Award by the Institute of Corporate Governance of Zimbabwe in March 2022.
His career, now spanning more than twenty years, includes senior roles in mining operations, project planning, extraction, risk management and mineral recovery systems.
Dr Kambamura has also been at the forefront of advocating for modern mining technologies.
He is currently steering a blueprint to introduce Smart Mining practices across Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
The initiative incorporates advanced digital tools such as drone assessments, aeromagnetic surveys, GIS monitoring, and artificial intelligence-supported safety systems.
The programme also includes collaboration with the Zimbabwe Geospatial and Space Agency (ZINGSA) for real-time monitoring of mining activities, as well as the development of electronic mineral export permits to enhance transparency and ease of doing business.
These innovations are expected to reduce accidents, improve mineral accountability and enhance extraction efficiency nationwide.
Beyond his technical and policy contributions, Dr Kambamura has extensive on-the-ground mining experience.
He previously served as Mine Manager overseeing a workforce of 800 employees and directing operations with strict adherence to safety standards and production targets.
His earlier roles as Mine Manager saw him responsible for mine production, mine development, safety, mine planning, geological and survey, mine ventilation, contractor oversight and project implementation.
His leadership journey began as a Graduate Trainee Mining Engineer at Shamva Gold Mine and rose through the ranks at other mines to become section miner, shift boss, mine captain, production manager, mine manager and held other senior management positions at different mines in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
Politically, Dr Kambamura has been a representative figure for Sanyati Constituency, first elected as Member of Parliament in 2018 to 2023 and re-elected in 2023 for the second term.
He is a Zanu PF Central Committee member, appointed in October 2025, and previously served as Zanu Pf Mashonaland West Provincial Secretary for Legal Affairs, as well as Secretary for Finance in Chirikiti District.
With his combination of technical expertise, policy depth and a forward-looking approach to mining transformation, Dr Polite Kambamura enters the Ministry at a defining moment.
His track record suggests a leader committed to modernising Zimbabwe’s mining landscape, strengthen mineral accountability, maximise government participation in the sector, and positioning the sector for sustainable growth.
