Londile Moyo
Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
MINES and Mining Development Minister, Dr Polite Kambamura, has reaffirmed that Zimbabwe is open for business under a clear and compelling investment framework designed to transform the nation from a raw mineral exporter into a competitive beneficiation hub.
Speaking at the recent Africa Chromium Week Conference in Victoria Falls, Minister Kambamura told delegates that Zimbabwe has created a conducive investment environment anchored on policy consistency, regulatory clarity, security of tenure, transparent licensing systems, competitive fiscal regimes, and infrastructure development to support beneficiation.
“Ladies and gentlemen, Zimbabwe remains open for business but with a clear investment framework,” said Dr Kambamura.
He underscored that the country holds approximately 12 to 13 percent of global chrome reserves, the second largest endowment in the world, with ore quality averaging 40 to 55 percent Cr₂O₃ and a chrome-to-iron ratio of about 2.5:1, placing it among the best globally.
However, he noted that despite this solid resource base, smelter capacity utilisation remains at around 68 percent, describing the gap between installed capacity and actual production as the space where focused policy, strategic investment, and strong partnerships must converge to unlock full value.
Minister Kambamura said the nation has vast opportunities awaiting investors, including expansion of ferrochrome smelting capacity, development of energy-efficient processing technologies, integration into global stainless steel value chains, and partnerships in power generation and distribution infrastructure and logistics.
“We invite you to partner with Zimbabwe not only as investors, but as long-term collaborators in industrial development,” he said.
The minister reiterated Zimbabwe’s deliberate and irreversible policy shift away from raw mineral exports, saying the export of raw chrome ore is no longer aligned with national development objectives.
“Zimbabwe will no longer export jobs, value and industrial potential in the form of raw minerals,” he declared.
“Instead, we are building a robust ferrochrome industry anchored on local smelting, technology upgrade and strategic partnerships.”
Dr Kambamura cited concrete examples of progress that include Palm River Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone in Beitbridge and the Manhize Steel Plant in Mvuma, developed by Dinson Iron and Steel.
He also praised African Chrome Fields for pioneering ultra-low carbon ferrochrome technologies developed locally.
“Our expectation is that all players in the chrome sector align to this vision and invest in downstream processing,” Minister Kambamura said.
As global ferrochrome demand stands at approximately 14,92 million tonnes per annum, Minister Kambamura said Zimbabwe currently contributes only 0,25 to 0,45 million tonnes, a figure that underscores both the room for growth and the urgency of the beneficiation drive.
“Value addition is no longer an option; it is the foundation of our national strategy,” he said.
Online Reporter