Acting President Chiwenga Calls For Value Addition and Transparency in the Mining Sector

By Edward Makuzva

BULAWAYO — Acting President General (Retired) Dr. Constantino Chiwenga has called on Zimbabwe’s mining industry to move “beyond extraction” by embracing beneficiation, innovation and community empowerment as key pillars for sustainable growth.

Acting President Chiwenga made the remarks while officially opening the 28th Edition of the Mine Entra Conference at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) grounds in Bulawayo, where he stood in for President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

The Acting President revealed that the Mine Entra was not merely an annual gathering, but a strategic forum shaping the future of Zimbabwe’s mining, engineering and transport sectors.

“It provides a platform for robust dialogue, innovation, and sustainable investment in one of Zimbabwe’s most vital industries,” he said.

Dr. Chiwenga noted that mining remains the backbone of Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing more than 70 percent of export earnings and 14.5 percent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He emphasised that the sector supports thousands of livelihoods and anchors industrial development across the country.

As Zimbabwe transitions from the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) to NDS2, the Acting President said mining will continue to play a central role in achieving Vision 2030 — the national goal of attaining an upper-middle-income society.“

Beyond Extraction”: A New Vision for Mining

This year’s conference theme, “Beyond Extraction: Sustaining the Future of Mining,” was described by the Acting President as both “timely and visionary.”

“It challenges us to reimagine mining to move beyond the traditional model of resource exploitation and embrace a future defined by beneficiation, innovation, and community empowerment,” Acting President Chiwenga explained.

He underscored the importance of ensuring that every tonne of ore extracted translates into job creation, industrial growth, and improved community welfare.

Beneficiation and value addition, he said, must become “non-negotiable principles” of Zimbabwe’s mining strategy.

Integrity and Accountability in the Mining Sector

Dr. Chiwenga urged miners to act as custodians of national mineral wealth, managing it with integrity and responsibility.

“Our thrust as Government is to ensure everyone benefits from the mining sector, including future generations,” he added.

The Acting President also challenged suppliers, service providers, processors and off-takers to align their operations with the country’s drive for industrialisation and value addition.

To investors, both local and foreign, the Acting President reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s openness to business partnerships built on mutual benefit, not exploitation.

“Zimbabwe remains open for business, not for extraction,” he said. “We seek partnerships that empower all our people.”

He highlighted that the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, which has been gazetted, will modernise the country’s mining framework by enforcing accountability, transparency, and corporate social responsibility.

“It ensures that every investor operates ethically, every project benefits communities, and every operation protects the environment,” he added.

The government, he said, is determined to eliminate corruption and illicit activities within the mining sector, describing them as “cancers that erode public trust and deprive citizens of their rightful benefits.”

He directed ministries, departments and agencies to strengthen oversight mechanisms, conduct regular audits, and enhance transparency in licensing and monitoring processes.

Beneficiation Projects and Technological Innovation

Dr. Chiwenga commended the commissioning of major projects such as the Palm River Energy Metallurgical Plant and the Zimplats Smelter Expansion and Abatement Project, describing them as milestones in energy efficiency and beneficiation.

He called for greater collaboration between mining companies and research institutions to build a fully integrated mining value chain supported by new technologies such as geospatial mapping, artificial intelligence, and automation.

“These technologies improve efficiency, traceability, and transparency in our mining operations,” he noted.

Sustainability and Environmental StewardshipThe Acting President reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to sustainable mining aligned with the Africa Mining Vision (2009) and the SADC Protocol on Mining (1997).

He said the country is integrating climate resilience, renewable energy, and ecosystem restoration into its mining framework to safeguard the environment and communities.

“Expansion is being driven by exploration, reopening of closed mines, and the growth of beneficiation and value addition,” said Acting President Chiwenga.

Partnerships for Shared Prosperity

Dr. Chiwenga urged industry leaders to seize opportunities presented by the Mine Entra platform to form partnerships that drive growth, policy alignment, and sustainable development.

“This year’s Mine Entra is not just an exhibition, it is a game-changer,” he said.

“Let it be a launchpad for partnerships and investments that will shape the future of Zimbabwe’s mining industry.”

He concluded by reiterating the Second Republic’s commitment to engagement and re-engagement with investors from across the world who share Zimbabwe’s vision of transparency, responsibility, and shared prosperity.

“We are building a Zimbabwe where mining is not just a source of revenue but a foundation for national renewal and growth,” said the Acting President, officially declaring the 2025 Mine Entra Conference open.

Background:

The Mine Entra Conference, now in its 28th edition, is Zimbabwe’s premier business-to-business expo focused on the mining, engineering, and transport sectors.

The 2025 event brings together key players from government, industry, and academia to explore investment opportunities and promote sustainable growth in the mining value chain.