‘Mineral resources must benefit Zimbabweans first’ – Mangwana

THE mining sector is a strategic pillar of Zimbabwe’s economic transformation, and Miners for Economic Development (Miners4ED) has a critical role in ensuring that Zimbabweans benefit more from their natural resources in line with the national aspirations of the Zanu-PF-led Government.

Speaking at the strategic planning session for Miners4ED recently held in Gweru, Zanu-PF Secretary for Mines and Energy Development, Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana, emphasised that mining is not just an economic activity, but a strategic sector tied to national sovereignty, economic empowerment, and resource nationalism.

Cde Mangwana urged Miners4ED to function as an ideological extension of Zanu-PF within the mining sector, embedding party ideology into sectoral programmes and activities.

“This gathering is timely as our nation continues to consolidate the gains of the Second Republic under the leadership of His Excellency, the President and First Secretary of Zanu-PF.

“The mining sector remains one of the strategic pillars of Zimbabwe’s economic transformation, particularly within the framework of Vision 2030 and the quest for an upper middle-income economy,” he said.

As a Zanu-PF affiliate, Cde Mangwana said Miners4ED has a critical role in ensuring that the mining sector is not only productive economically, but politically aligned with the revolutionary values and national aspirations of the Government and the party.

He said mining is not just an economic activity, adding that it is a strategic sector tied to national sovereignty, economic empowerment, and resource nationalism.

Cde Mangwana said Zimbabwe is endowed with vast mineral resources, including gold, platinum, lithium, chrome, coal, diamonds and rare earth minerals, which place the country at the centre of global mineral supply chains.

“The party has consistently emphasised that our mineral resources must benefit the people of Zimbabwe first,” he said.

Cde Mangwana said the role of Miners4ED is, therefore, to ensure that miners become conscious participants in national development and defenders of the party’s economic agenda through NDS2, Vision 2030, and Amendment Bill No. 3.

He said every affiliate of Zanu-PF must operate from a clear ideological foundation rooted in the liberation struggle values of economic independence, sovereignty, and empowerment of the indigenous people.

Cde Mangwana further mentioned that Miners4ED must function not merely as a sectoral grouping, but as an ideological extension of the party within the mining sector.

“Your strategic plan must, therefore, embed party ideology into sectoral programmes and activities. One of the most important roles of any affiliate organisation is mobilisation.

“Miners4ED must serve as a mobilising platform for miners to participate in national development and support the Party,” he said.

Cde Mangwana said the organisation should focus on organising miners across provinces and districts, creating structured membership bases within mining communities, mineral beneficiation, formalisation and engaging artisanal, small-scale and large-scale miners.

He added that mobilisation should also involve education and awareness programmes that promote the party’s policies and national economic priorities.

“As an affiliate organisation, Miners4ED must operate within the organisational framework of the party. The organisation must always observe party protocols in its operations and engagements. This ensures co-ordination, discipline and strategic coherence,” he said.

Cde Mangwana said Miners4ED should not simply function as an advocacy platform, but as a strategic partner in sector development.

He said responsible mining strengthens public confidence in the sector and supports long-term economic growth.

“Looking forward, Miners4ED should aim to become the leading organised platform for miners aligned to national development goals,” he said.

“Organisations such as Miners4ED have the opportunity to link economic activity with national development and Party mobilisation.”

Cde Mangwana said through unity of purpose and commitment to national development, miners can ensure that Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth becomes a foundation for shared prosperity.

Miners4ED national chairperson, Cde Denford Nsuntile, said the strategic session was aimed at producing a clear, implementable roadmap that strengthens the role of miners in building the nation, linking economic activity with national development and party mobilisation.

He said Miners4ED supports the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 of 2026.