Dennis Ndlovu
Zim GBC News Reporter
https://www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
Zimbabwe has approved a new framework aimed at transforming its mining sector from exporting raw minerals to producing higher-value industrial goods, in a move authorities say will boost national earnings.
The decision was made during a Cabinet meeting.
The proposal was presented by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who outlined plans to overhaul the country’s mineral value chain.
Vice President Chiwenga said the framework is aimed at transitioning Zimbabwe from a primary resource extraction and exportation entity to a globally competitive minerals-based industrial manufacturing hub.
The government says the strategy will ensure minerals are processed locally before export, introducing stricter compliance measures.
He added that the framework seeks to protect national interests and curb revenue losses.
“To protect the national interest by closing the leakages that have perennially prejudiced the country of huge earnings from its vast mineral wealth.”
A major component of the plan is the introduction of a digital tracking system for mineral exports, designed to improve transparency and accountability.
Vice President Chiwenga said the system will strengthen oversight across the mineral value chain.
“The system will provide a comprehensive, end-to-end audit trail that tracks every mineral consignment thereby safeguarding national wealth.”
The framework is anchored on four main pillars, with government outlining key structural reforms to support mineral value addition.
The first pillar focuses on mineral-specific architecture and mandatory standards.
It sets legally binding minimum processing requirements and introduces a Value-Added Compliance Certificate as a prerequisite for export permits.
The second pillar centres on national minerals research and laboratory infrastructure.
Government plans to establish a decentralised network of specialised analytical hubs at universities and scientific institutions to reduce reliance on foreign laboratories.
Under this arrangement, the University of Zimbabwe will host the National Mineral Research Centre, serving as the apex hub for minerals including lithium, rare earth elements and uranium.
The National University of Science and Technology and Great Zimbabwe University will focus on platinum group metals and battery minerals.
The Midlands State University will oversee iron ore, chrome and vanadium corridors.
The Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences will specialise in diamonds and gemmology.
The Chinhoyi University of Technology and Bindura University of Science Education will focus on industrial minerals, phosphates and graphite.
The Gwanda State University will support artisanal and small-scale miners in Matabeleland South Province.
The Zimbabwe School of Mines will serve as a central hub for specialised mining training.
However, challenges persist, particularly in resource-rich regions such as Manicaland Province.
A government report highlighted structural barriers affecting growth and value addition.
Vice President Chiwenga outlined the key constraints identified in the report.
“Systemic challenges in infrastructure, high cost of doing business, limited access to capital and insufficient value addition.”
To address these issues, the government is promoting reforms and partnerships with the private sector.
He said measures underway include strengthening collaboration through infrastructure projects and regulatory reforms.
“Enhanced Private Public Partnerships in road rehabilitation in exchange for tax incentives.”
“Ease of doing business reforms.”
The success of the initiative is expected to depend on improvements in energy supply and increased investor confidence.
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