Online Reporter
Kuda Bwititi
Zimpapers Politics Hub
GOVERNMENT has pledged to transform the mining sector from a predominantly raw mineral exporter into a globally competitive producer of value-added mineral products under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), as it seeks to accelerate industrialisation and achieve Vision 2030.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe-China Investment Symposium in Harare yesterday, Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura said mining would remain at the centre of the country’s economic transformation, with emphasis shifting towards beneficiation, technology adoption and strategic international partnerships.
The symposium was held under the theme, “Strengthening Relations to Unlock Zimbabwe’s Potential.”
Dr Kambamura said Zimbabwe’s vast mineral endowment presented an opportunity to build a diversified economy anchored on industrial growth rather than the export of unprocessed minerals.
“Our objective is not simply to produce more minerals. Our objective is to transform Zimbabwe from a supplier of predominantly raw mineral commodities into a globally competitive producer of high-value mineral products and mineral-based industries,” he said.
He said the mining sector currently contributes about 14,5 percent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product, accounts for nearly 75 percent of export earnings and remains one of the largest recipients of foreign direct investment.
Dr Kambamura said mineral exports marketed through the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe reached approximately US$3,4 billion in 2025, while national gold production rose to about 46,7 tonnes.
Building on that performance, Government has set a target of producing 50 tonnes of gold this year.
He said NDS2, which covers the period 2026 to 2030, prioritises mineral exploration, investment promotion, beneficiation, value addition, infrastructure development, technological innovation and environmental sustainability.
Government, he added, was modernising geological surveys through the use of digital technologies, remote sensing and artificial intelligence to improve exploration efficiency and attract new investment.
Dr Kambamura said beneficiation remained central to Government policy, noting that exporting raw minerals deprived the country of employment opportunities, industrial capacity and higher export earnings.
He cited the recent production of Africa’s first shipment of lithium sulphate from Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt’s Arcadia Mine as evidence that Zimbabwe was making progress towards local mineral processing and value addition.
The Minister also highlighted the growing role of Chinese investment in Zimbabwe’s mining sector, saying investments from Chinese companies had exceeded US$2 billion in recent years.
He said firms including Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine Resource Group, Chengxin Lithium, Yahua Group and Tsingshan Holding Group were contributing to the development of lithium, chrome, coal, gold and ferro-alloy projects.
Dr Kambamura said Zimbabwe remained open to investors prepared to support responsible mining, technology transfer, skills development and downstream industrialisation.
He added that Government was committed to ensuring mining generated broader economic benefits through employment creation, rural development and increased participation by local communities.
Zimbabwe possesses more than 40 commercially exploitable mineral resources, including gold, platinum group metals, lithium, chrome, diamonds, coal, nickel, copper, graphite, iron ore and rare earth elements, placing the country among Africa’s most richly endowed mining jurisdictions.
Government expects the implementation of NDS2 to strengthen the sector’s contribution to economic growth while positioning Zimbabwe as a key player in the global critical minerals value chain.
