Farai Mabeza
The dominant message to emerge from the 2026 Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe Annual Mining Conference in Victoria Falls was that Zimbabwe is redefining what it expects from its mining sector.
While increasing mineral production remains important, government is making it clear that future success will be measured less by the volume of minerals extracted and more by the value created within the country through beneficiation, industrialisation, technology and energy security.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Polite Kambamura captured this shift when he declared: \"The central challenge before us is no longer whether Zimbabwe is mineral-rich. That question was settled long ago by geology, production and history. The challenge is whether we can transform our mineral endowment into industrial capacity, jobs, exports, infrastructure, technology and sustainable national prosperity.\"
His remarks suggest Zimbabwe\'s mining policy is entering a new phase. Rather than positioning itself simply as a supplier of raw minerals to international markets, the country wants to become part of global manufacturing value chains, particularly for critical minerals such as lithium, platinum group metals and chrome.
Kambamura repeatedly stressed that beneficiation is now central to government policy. \"Value, not volume alone, must drive our future mindset. I am worried about volumes without value. I would rather work with small volumes of high value. Volumes and values should be knitted together,\" he said.
That statement reinforces recent government measures restricting the export of raw lithium ore in favour of local processing. Pointing to Zimbabwe\'s recent export of battery-grade lithium sulphate, Kambamura said the milestone demonstrated that local beneficiation was achievable with the right investment and policy support. \"Zimbabwe will not participate in energy transition solely as a supplier of raw materials. We seek greater beneficiation, downstream industries and a deeper participation in global value chains,\" he said.
While some investors have viewed recent policy changes with caution, Kambamura sought to reassure international mining companies that Zimbabwe remains open for business, albeit on different terms. \"Zimbabwe remains open to foreign direct investment in mining, and we welcome investors who bring capital, technology, skills, markets, innovation and ethical business practices,\" he said. \"We seek productive investors, not speculators; long-term partners, not short-term opportunities.\"
The conference also highlighted that energy has become one of the biggest factors determining the future competitiveness of Zimbabwe\'s mining industry. Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo noted that mining consumes between 600 and 700 megawatts of electricity, making it the country\'s largest single power consumer, while acknowledging that electricity generation still falls short of demand.
\"Our supply sector and our demand sector are still not matching,\" Moyo said, before calling on mining companies to invest in captive power generation. \"We are calling on all miners to think of what they can do about captive power. We have found out that those who have captive power, we work with them very well. They supply to themselves, but also they can supply to the grid.\"
The message suggests government increasingly sees mining companies not only as consumers of electricity but as partners in expanding Zimbabwe\'s generating capacity through solar, thermal and other independent power projects.
Another notable theme was government\'s renewed emphasis on coal as a strategic energy resource despite the global push towards cleaner energy. Kambamura revealed that Zimbabwe has classified coal as a \"special critical mineral\", arguing that energy security remains a national priority. \"Zimbabwe is not going to be a spectator, but an active player... with a loud shout for a just energy transition,\" he said, adding that companies sitting on undeveloped coal concessions risk losing them as government seeks to unlock investment in the sector.
Technology and exploration also featured prominently in government\'s vision for the industry. Kambamura argued that future mining competitiveness would depend as much on innovation as on geology. \"The mining industry of the future will belong not only to those with the largest mineral deposits, but also to those who deploy technology most effectively to optimise mineral resource discoveries, extraction and efficient recoveries,\" he said, while encouraging greater investment in artificial intelligence, automation and digital mining technologies.
Taken together, the speeches delivered in Victoria Falls point to a mining sector that is expected to drive Zimbabwe\'s broader industrial transformation rather than simply generate export earnings. Government wants minerals processed locally, investors to commit for the long term, mining companies to help solve the country\'s energy challenges and technology to improve productivity and competitiveness.
Whether those ambitions translate into increased investment and faster growth will depend on policy consistency, reliable infrastructure and regulatory certainty. However, one message emerged clearly from the conference: Zimbabwe no longer wants to be known simply as a country rich in minerals. It wants to become a country that uses those minerals to build industries, create skilled jobs and strengthen long-term economic development.
