Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve,Victoria Falls Reporter
THE mining sector is no longer just a consumer of energy but has transformed into an active co-developer of energy infrastructure, investing in generation projects to secure its own operations while strengthening national and regional energy security.
This was revealed by the Minister of Energy and Power Development, July Moyo speaking at the 2025 Africa Down Under Mining Conference in Perth, Australia, on Friday.
Minister Moyo said Zimbabwe is experiencing an unprecedented mining renaissance, driven by its vast mineral portfolio including lithium, gold, platinum, chrome, and diamonds.
However, this growth has created a massive demand for power, with the sector requiring an additional 2 000 megawatts (MW) by 2025 to meet its expansion targets.
“This reality has redefined the relationship between mining and energy. No longer is mining simply a consumer; it is now a co-developer of energy infrastructure, investing in generation to secure operations while strengthening national and regional energy security,” said Minister Moyo.
He pointed to several leading mining companies that are already pioneering this integrated model.
Zimplats is rolling out a 185 MW solar power project, described as one of the largest private renewable energy initiatives in Southern Africa.
Caledonia Mining’s Blanket Mine has commissioned a 12.2 MW solar plant, and Turk Mine is now powered by a 4.4 MW solar farm.
At the massive Manhize steel plant, Dinson Iron and Steel Company has developed an internal generation capacity of 50 MW.
“These are not isolated projects, they represent a shift towards captive power generation, hybrid energy solutions, and surplus integration into the national grid,” he said.
Beyond industry-led initiatives, the Government has a deliberate strategy to expand capacity that is not limited to mining sites.
Minister Moyo outlined a broader renewable energy agenda including the innovative Kariba Floating Solar Project, the 22 MW Pomona Waste-to-Energy Project, and large-scale solar parks in Matabeleland, Midlands, and
Mashonaland West being developed by Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
Minister Moyo also highlighted that Zimbabwe’s energy strategy is regional in scope, leveraging the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
“Energy security is no longer a national agenda, it is regional,” he said.
“Zimbabwe is strengthening cross-border transmission with its neighbours exploiting the existence of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) which is a regional electricity trading platform.”
He detailed the synergies between mining and energy within the SAPP framework, where mines can feed excess power into the regional grid and mineral processing plants can access stable, cross-border electricity.
To realise this vision, the Government is actively courting investors, offering a clear roadmap through its National Energy Compact.
The goal is to reach 5 432 MW of generation capacity by 2030, with 2 640 MW coming from renewables, requiring a US$9 billion investment, 70 percent of which is expected from the private sector.
Minister Moyo directly invited global investors to seize the opportunities available, which include captive power generation, utility-scale renewable projects, grid modernization, and the development of energy-mineral industrial parks.
“Zimbabwe is indeed open for business. Our mining boom is an energy opportunity, and our energy transformation is an investment gateway. We invite you to come and invest and build power plants next to mines, establish beneficiation hubs next to mineral deposits, and create regional energy corridors that power the future of African industry,” he said.
He positioned Zimbabwe as a future energy hub for the region, offering investors access to a market of over 300 million people through SAPP, bankable projects, and government-backed guarantees.
Bongani Ndlovu