Online Reporter
Michael Tome
Business Reporter
THE Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is finalising the migration of all mining titles into digital format, under its computerisation programme, for more efficient and accurate modern mining data capturing and title management systems.
Mining title holders and new applicants are now required, from July 1, 2025, to comply with updated geospatial data standards to ensure consistency and precision in the country’s new mining title management.
This initiative is part of modernising the country’s mining title management system in line with global trends. This is more important given that Zimbabwe is mineral mineral-rich country, with mining titles held across key minerals such as gold, platinum, chrome, lithium, coal and nickel.
The mines ministry has encouraged mining title holders to participate and update their coordinates as soon as possible to improve the accuracy and efficiency of mining title management.
Updating the mining title coordinates will also help reduce disputes and enhance transparency in the mining sector, ultimately creating a more streamlined and reliable system for all stakeholders involved.
To ensure compliance with the new regulations, miners need to take a couple of key steps that include gathering all the required documents and information necessary for the update process.
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development said all the active mining claim holders would be required to submit coordinates in the new format upon renewal.
Those with pending applications for mining titles and new applications are also required to resubmit coordinates that conform to the requirements of the set standards.
According to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, a list of all registered mine surveyors can be obtained at provincial mining offices or from the Chief Government Mining Engineer.
“The ministry is finalising the migration to a computerised Mining Cadastre Information Management System to record and manage all mining titles and related operations.
“The new system requires that the coordinates conform with the UTM Arc 1950 Coordinate System, Clarke 1880 Spheroid standards.
“As a crucial step, existing mining titles as well as new and pending applications should, with effect from 1 July 2025, be captured in this standard.
“For the avoidance of doubt, coordinates should be picked by registered mine surveyors, using survey grade instruments and adhering to national and international best practices and standards,” said Ministry of Mines and Mining Development permanent secretary Mr Pfungwa Kunaka.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) chief executive officer Mr Wellington Takavarasha urged all miners to actively participate in this initiative and update their mining title coordinates so that they can reap the benefits that come with the process.
“The ministry’s efforts to digitise mining title management and implement a computerised Mining Cadastre Information Management System (MCIMS) are commendable. We appreciate the initiative to streamline title administration, reduce disputes and improve transparency in the mining sector.
“We encourage all miners to participate in this exercise and update their mining title coordinates to take advantage of the benefits mentioned above,” said Mr Takavarasha.
The ministry indicated that the process is not intended to require the repegging of claims but to integrate mining title information into the national e-cadastre management system.
It also warned that any attempts to manipulate the system or compromise the exercise will be dealt with in terms of the applicable laws.
