Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
THE Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) has intensified efforts to transform the country’s gemstone industry into a major contributor to the mining sector by promoting value addition, skills development, and local beneficiation.
As part of the initiative, MMCZ has partnered with the Women in Gemstones Association of Zimbabwe (WIGAZ) to facilitate advanced gemstone cutting and polishing training for 28 Zimbabwean women miners in Ndola, Zambia.
The 28 graduated last Friday at a colourful event in the neighbouring nation.
The programme formed part of the Government’s broader drive to ensure that Zimbabwe exports value-added mineral products rather than raw gemstones, enabling miners to earn higher returns while creating jobs and strengthening local industries.
MMCZ is also pursuing plans to establish a national gemstone value addition and training centre that will equip miners with lapidary skills and provide services such as gemstone identification, certification, marketing support, and business incubation.
Industry estimates indicate that, with increased formalisation and beneficiation, Zimbabwe’s gemstone sector could generate between US$20 million and US$500 million annually, while creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
The greatest opportunity, officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development said, is not only in extracting gemstones but also in processing, certification, jewellery manufacturing and organised marketing—activities that increase the value retained within the country.
MMCZ General Manager, Dr Nomusa Jane Moyo, said the Zambia training programme built on the Government’s beneficiation agenda by empowering local miners to process gemstones before export.
“Traditionally, most of our gemstones have been exported in rough form, meaning that much of the value has been realised outside Zimbabwe. By equipping local miners with lapidary skills, we are empowering them to process gemstones locally, improve product quality, access premium markets, and significantly increase their earnings,” she said.
Dr Moyo said the training also laid the foundation for a domestic gemstone cutting, polishing, and jewellery manufacturing industry capable of creating employment and retaining more value within Zimbabwe.
She mentioned that the 28 participants were the first graduates of the MMCZ-Zimbabwe School of Mines Gemstone Cutting and Polishing Programme in 2024, with the Zambia training exposing them to advanced international best practices.
“The women are expected to become pioneers and ambassadors of Zimbabwe’s emerging gemstone value addition industry. Beyond enhancing their own expertise, they will transfer the knowledge and skills acquired to other artisanal miners, helping to build a sustainable local lapidary industry while promoting formalisation of the gemstone sector,” she said.
Dr Moyo expressed that the proposed national gemstone value addition and training centre remains part of MMCZ’s long-term vision for developing the industry.
“The facility is intended to provide world-class training in gemstone identification, cutting, and polishing, as well as laboratory services, marketing support, and business incubation. The project remains in the pipeline, and MMCZ will continue supporting efforts in this direction as part of the broader national gemstone beneficiation programme,” she said wothout mention where the centre will be established.
She added that the initiative supports National Development Strategy 2 and Vision 2030 by promoting industrialisation, women’s economic empowerment, rural development, and inclusive economic growth.
Zimbabwe possesses one of Southern Africa’s most diverse gemstone deposits, with production occurring in Karoi, Hurungwe in Mashonaland West, Mutoko, Mberengwa, Masvingo, Chiredzi, Beitbridge, Chikombedzi, Mwenezi, Buhera, Chimanimani, Rushinga, and other areas.
The country produces a wide range of gemstones, including emeralds, aquamarine, tourmaline, garnet, amethyst, topaz, and sapphires.
Dr Moyo emphasised that strengthening formal markets, training, and local beneficiation would increase household incomes, create employment opportunities for women and youths, stimulate rural industrialisation, and ensure more revenue from Zimbabwe’s gemstones is retained within local communities.
