Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]
ZIMBABWE is asserting greater national control over its mineral wealth, with President Mnangagwa calling for accelerated domestic processing, beneficiation and value addition to ensure the country’s finite resources generate lasting economic benefits for present and future generations.
Under President Mnangagwa’s leadership the country has taken a bold decision to stop exporting raw minerals and aggressively pursue value addition and beneficiation to drive industrial transformation modelling for Africa and the Global South.
Significant progress is being made in the lithium sector where the country expects to export only lithium sulphate from January 2027, as it deepens downstream mineral processing.
In a speech read on his behalf by Vice-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga during the official opening of the Mine Entra 2026 Exhibition in Bulawayo yesterday, President Mnangagwa said Government was determined to build a value-added mining economy that maximises returns from the country’s abundant mineral resources.
“Under the Second Republic, the aim is to build a value-added mining economy. Through beneficiation and industrialisation, we want to guarantee maximum value from our God given natural resources,” he said.
“Zimbabwe is acclaimed for high deposits of critical minerals and for a long time was a renowned source of raw minerals for other global industries, while our own became stagnant and antiquated.
“We have said, ‘Not any more’. Under my leadership and administration, that narrative is changing. I urge stakeholders and partners to decisively and boldly transition to this new reality,” said President Mnangagwa.
He applauded this year’s Mine Entra theme: “Unearth, Transform, Prosper: Anchoring Economic Transformation
Through Mining Value Chains”, which resonates with Government’s industrialisation drive and policy thrust towards beneficiation.
President Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe’s policy direction was decisive, with few countries on the continent and in the
Global South, taking similarly measures to halt the export of raw minerals.
“The steps we are taking have not been undertaken by many, on our continent or the Global South, but as a sovereign nation and masters of our own destiny, I am confident that we are up to the challenge,” he said.
The mining sector should not merely contribute to economic growth figures but must improve the livelihoods of Zimbabweans, he added.
“Ultimately the mining industry must not only aid in expanding the national wealth or economic growth, but result in tangible benefits to the ordinary citizens,” said President Mnangagwa.
He challenged delegates to develop innovative financing models that leverage the country’s mineral wealth to support national development and reduce dependence on external funding.
“In the past, we knew that the large infrastructure projects of the pre-colonial and post-colonial states were mainly financed by the World Bank, while IMF aided in stabilising currencies, and managing Balance of Payment crisis.
“However, over time, these roles have fundamentally shifted, in the interest of those outside our jurisdictions. As developing countries, we must increasingly, rely and depend on ourselves; our own skills, capabilities and indeed, natural resources,” he said.
“Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo/Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo. It is in this context that players in the mining sector must understand the weighty responsibility that rests upon you.”
President Mnangagwa further reaffirmed Government’s commitment to implementing enabling policies that ensure Zimbabwe derives maximum value from every stage of the mining value chain.
“My Government will continue to implement enabling policies and programmes, ensure that we derive maximum benefits from the mining value chain. Together, we have a duty to manage our resources for increased local development, sustainability and economic sovereignty,” said the President.
He declared that the era of exporting minerals in raw or semi-processed form while concealing valuable associated minerals had come to an end.
“The days where consignments leave our borders, declared simply as ‘ore’ or ‘concentrates,’ meanwhile containing valuable and rare earth minerals are over,” he said.
The President announced that Zimbabwe expects to export only lithium sulphate from January next year as Government accelerates downstream processing.
“It’s my expectation that, by January 2027, Zimbabwe will only export lithium sulphate. To ease that transition, my Government has put in place an orderly quota arrangement, so that no responsible operator shuts down,” he said.
“This will allow the revenue earned today, to help build the processing and beneficiation plants of tomorrow.”
Zimbabwe had already made history after successfully exporting locally produced lithium sulphate earlier this year, becoming the first country in Africa to achieve the milestone.
President has since urged investors to speed up construction of additional lithium sulphate processing plants at Bikita, Kamativi and Sandawana to position Zimbabwe as Africa’s leading lithium processing hub.
He said the country’s mineral wealth must be exploited on Zimbabwe’s terms for the benefit of both present and future generations.
“We must continue on this bold path, being ourselves, never ashamed or apologizing for who we are. Our minerals are in the ground and will be ‘unearthed to transform and prosper’ our people, on our terms,” he said.
President Mnangagwa also reminded investors, mining companies and claim holders that they had a responsibility to steward the country’s natural resources for the benefit of all Zimbabweans.
“Zimbabwe, including all that which is on it, and under it, belongs to all its people. You, the investors, owners of claims and other stakeholders are the few that have been entrusted by history and the present generation, to steward resources under our land. This sacred duty must never be taken lightly,” he added.
The Mine Entra Expo has over the years grown into Zimbabwe’s premier mining exhibition and investment platform, bringing together Government, mining companies, investors, equipment manufacturers, financiers and technology providers to promote innovation, strengthen partnerships and unlock investment opportunities across the mining value chain.
This year’s edition began on Wednesday, and brought Government officials, mining executives, investors, financiers, geologists and equipment manufacturers to deliberate on strategies to accelerate mineral exploration, strengthen local content, promote beneficiation and unlock greater value from Zimbabwe’s vast mineral resources.
