Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) has called upon the mining sector to become co-investors in the country’s road infrastructure, arguing that a collaborative approach is the only sustainable way to maintain key mining corridors and turning crippling logistical losses into long-term value.
The call was made by Zinara chief executive officer, Mr Nkosilathi Ncube, who was represented by Engineer Enock Masocha, during the recent Chamber of Mines Annual Conference in Victoria Falls.
Citing the strain on the country’s road network, Mr Ncube proposed a shift in the relationship between the mining industry and the roads authority from one of simple usage to one of shared responsibility.
Mr Ncube said while strategic corridors such as the Harare-Beitbridge and Harare-Mutare highways are receiving attention, key mining routes like the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls corridor remain under severe pressure due to funding gaps.
The current funding model for roads, which is based on standard Road User Charges (RUCs), was designed for general traffic and does not fully reflect the heavy-haul impact of the mining sector.
The road authority said the technical reality is that road damage increases exponentially, following the fourth power law, meaning that a heavy truck causes disproportionately more damage than a standard passenger vehicle.
In simple terms, mining traffic does not just use roads, it consumes them faster than they are funded.
Beyond the physical damage, bad roads are hitting the mining sector’s bottom line. The presentation noted that heavy vehicle operating costs induced by poor roads represent a significant financial loss.
Mr Ncube argued that instead of the industry losing US$150 on every trip due to the rough terrain, a joint investment could fix the corridors and turn that loss into enduring value.
“We propose a collaborative, financially sustainable framework between the mining sector and Zinara to ensure sustainable investment into the roads sector.
“Today, the mining industry is seen as damaging public infrastructure, leading to rising community dissatisfaction and reputational risk.
“But with a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), the mining industry becomes a co-investor in national infrastructure, demonstrating responsibility and leadership,” said Mr Ncube.
The proposed framework is anchored on tripartite synergy involving the Government, Zinara, and the mining sector.
It advocates for ring-fenced infrastructure levies, Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concession models for dedicated mining corridors, and direct co-investment by mining houses into primary mineral transit routes.
The proposal is backed by successful benchmarks across Africa, including the Lobito Corridor in Angola, the Sanral model in South Africa, and the NRFA toll road models in Zambia.
Mr Ncube emphasized that the country’s roads require massive capital injection, exceeding the capacity of current revenue streams. A partnership would allow Zinara to leverage its revenue collection capabilities while the mining sector provides strategic capital to ensure the durability of the roads they rely on for exports.
