Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has called on the mining sector to move away from exporting raw minerals and focus on local value addition and beneficiation.
Speaking at the official opening of the 28th Mine Entra Conference in Bulawayo on Thursday, 9 October, Chiwenga stressed that the country’s rich natural resources should no longer benefit only a few individuals or foreign interests.
Instead, he said, they must be harnessed for the collective good through partnerships with responsible investors. Said Chiwenga:
“It challenges us to re-imagine mining and to move beyond the traditional model of resource exploitation and embrace a future defined by beneficiation, innovation, and community empowerment. ‘Beyond Extraction’ demands that we move from exporting raw ore to exporting finished products.”
Chiwenga, who was acting as President while Emmerson Mnangagwa attended the 24th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government in Nairobi, Kenya, said that beneficiation and value addition are non-negotiable principles of Zimbabwe’s mining strategy.
He added that every tonne of minerals extracted must create jobs, support industries, and transform communities. Said the Vice President:
“To the miners, you are the custodians of our mineral wealth. Handle it with integrity. Exploit it responsibly. Protect it as a national trust, not a personal gain.
“To the processors and off-takers, the era of raw mineral exports must give way to beneficiation and value addition. Mining must now drive industrialisation, create jobs and support downstream sectors.
“To the investors, both local and international, Zimbabwe remains open for business, not for extraction.
“We seek mutual partnerships that ensure the minerals beneath our soil empower all our people.”
Chiwenga also warned against corruption, illicit trading, and leakages, describing them as cancers that undermine public trust and deny citizens their rightful benefits.
He added that mining operations must be conducted sustainably, protecting both the environment and the well-being of surrounding communities.
