Zimbabwe has a hidden treasure near the Limpopo River. The Beitbridge area stretches over 200 kilometers and has grasslands where cattle graze under the sun. People know this place as a cattle country because it sits in agricultural Region 5 and has perfect weather for raising animals. But underneath the ground lies something even more valuable than livestock—diamonds, gold, copper, magnesite, and coal—waiting to be dug up.
The world needs these minerals badly, making Beitbridge ready to change from a hot, quiet district into a busy mining center. Both local and foreign investors have started paying attention to what lies beneath. President Mnangagwa recently started the Palm River Energy and Metallurgical Special Economic Zone project. This $3.6 billion industrial park sits just 20 kilometers west of Beitbridge town and brings new hope to local people.
The President said this project shows how business and government can team up to help the country grow. He mentioned that many projects have started since his administration began. The success here comes from his policy of reconnecting with other countries, which has made Zimbabwe look better to investors. During its first year, the energy project hired 400 local workers. When everything runs at full power, more than 2,000 people will have jobs there.
The industrial park came about after talks between Palm River Energy chairman Xong Xi Dong and President Mnangagwa. When finished, it will cover 5,100 hectares inside a special economic zone and boost mining and energy production. The park has a coking plant that will make one million tons of coke each year, a ferrochrome smelting plant that will make 100,000 tons of high-carbon ferrochrome and a 1,200MW coal-fired power plant.
Workers will build the project in four stages over 12 years. The first stage involves teamwork between the government, Xintai Resources, and Tuli Coal. Extra electricity will feed into the national grid, and the ferrochrome plant will help make special steel products. Tuli Coal Mine supplies fuel for the project, and plans exist to sell coal products to other countries, bringing foreign money into Zimbabwe.
Mining matters greatly to Zimbabwe—it makes up more than 60 percent of the country's exports and attracts over half of all foreign direct investment. Near the Palm River Project lie huge diamond deposits in a kimberlite pipe owned by Limpopo Mining Resources. The company entered voluntary liquidation in July 2012, but RANI Investments LLC, the main shareholder, has asked the High Court to remove it from liquidation because circumstances have changed.
Beitbridge Rural District Council wants to map all minerals in the area. Acting chief executive Peter Ncube says the area has rich mining opportunities that could transform rural areas completely. The district contains coal, chrome, diamonds, corundum, and magnesite. Based on previous exploration work, coal appears mostly in Ward 8 west of town and Ward 1 in the Tshitirupasi area.
The area could generate power and produce coal products for both local and international markets. Diamonds exist at the Auridium Mine, though it remains closed currently. The region also has clinker deposits used for cement production in Ward 7. Beyond minerals, investment opportunities include agricultural projects like citrus farms, amacimbi harvesting, baobab fruit processing, coffee growing, and making crafts from natural materials.
About 40 kilometers east of town, rich magnesite deposits sit at the closed Pande Mine, famous for producing over 800,000 tons of this industrial mineral. The area might also contain crystal corundum, limestone, and uranium. Further east, the Bubye Coalfields hold massive coal deposits 120 kilometers from town. A new company called Beitbridge Colliery plans to mine there after the previous operation closed in 1962 following an accident that killed seven people.
Local people call the old mine "Belavhatu," meaning "where people died." The new mining company will dig about 700 meters away from the original shaft. Recent surveys show the coal mine, owned by Zimbabwean businessmen Tinashe and Rodwell Kamuriwo and South African partner Thabiso Mofokeng, should operate for at least 60 years. Local development worker Enock Kwinika believes foreign investment must translate into better infrastructure for rural areas.
He suggests banks should offer loans to local investor groups since starting mining requires lots of money. Oscar Chiromo, who chairs the Beitbridge Rural District Council, says these mineral deposits will help transform rural areas and create industries. He believes the government should make licensing easier and create simple processes for getting mining permits both locally and nationally.
Chiromo thinks communities need better information about mining rules. This would help enforce environmental regulations and ensure responsible practices. He wants to promote Beitbridge mining potential to investors worldwide and provide funding through loans or grants for both small and large mining operations. He encourages partnerships between local and international mining companies to benefit everyone involved in the value chain.
Local journalist Muvhuso Chibi sees recent mining investments as the first step toward awakening a sleeping giant. She believes local leaders must adapt national mining policies to attract investment and support small-scale operations. Communities need education about mining benefits, possibly through short courses and student tours of active mines. If stakeholders create the right environment, mining can empower women in the district.
Properly managed mining brings many benefits, including better infrastructure, reliable electricity, and growth in other businesses. During the Palm River Project ceremony, Mines Minister Winston Chitando confirmed the government's commitment to supporting mining investments through policy reforms, business-friendly changes, and infrastructure development. Global partnerships continue to strengthen, creating mutual benefits and sustainable economic growth.
The minister called the groundbreaking ceremony proof that the current administration can attract major investments and complete transformative projects. Mining contributes 13.3 percent to Zimbabwe's GDP and over 65 percent of export income. Despite challenges like changing commodity prices and global economic problems, mining has grown steadily, with 5.6 percent growth projected for 2025. This comes mainly from increased platinum, gold, chrome, and diamond production.
A $500,000 Palm River Fund will operate for ten years, focusing on youth education as part of corporate social responsibility around Beitbridge. This shows how mining companies can give back to the communities where they operate. The fund will help prepare young people for future opportunities in the growing mining sector, ensuring residents benefit from the mineral wealth beneath their feet for generations to come.
The world needs these minerals badly, making Beitbridge ready to change from a hot, quiet district into a busy mining center. Both local and foreign investors have started paying attention to what lies beneath. President Mnangagwa recently started the Palm River Energy and Metallurgical Special Economic Zone project. This $3.6 billion industrial park sits just 20 kilometers west of Beitbridge town and brings new hope to local people.
The President said this project shows how business and government can team up to help the country grow. He mentioned that many projects have started since his administration began. The success here comes from his policy of reconnecting with other countries, which has made Zimbabwe look better to investors. During its first year, the energy project hired 400 local workers. When everything runs at full power, more than 2,000 people will have jobs there.
The industrial park came about after talks between Palm River Energy chairman Xong Xi Dong and President Mnangagwa. When finished, it will cover 5,100 hectares inside a special economic zone and boost mining and energy production. The park has a coking plant that will make one million tons of coke each year, a ferrochrome smelting plant that will make 100,000 tons of high-carbon ferrochrome and a 1,200MW coal-fired power plant.
Workers will build the project in four stages over 12 years. The first stage involves teamwork between the government, Xintai Resources, and Tuli Coal. Extra electricity will feed into the national grid, and the ferrochrome plant will help make special steel products. Tuli Coal Mine supplies fuel for the project, and plans exist to sell coal products to other countries, bringing foreign money into Zimbabwe.
Mining matters greatly to Zimbabwe—it makes up more than 60 percent of the country's exports and attracts over half of all foreign direct investment. Near the Palm River Project lie huge diamond deposits in a kimberlite pipe owned by Limpopo Mining Resources. The company entered voluntary liquidation in July 2012, but RANI Investments LLC, the main shareholder, has asked the High Court to remove it from liquidation because circumstances have changed.
Beitbridge Rural District Council wants to map all minerals in the area. Acting chief executive Peter Ncube says the area has rich mining opportunities that could transform rural areas completely. The district contains coal, chrome, diamonds, corundum, and magnesite. Based on previous exploration work, coal appears mostly in Ward 8 west of town and Ward 1 in the Tshitirupasi area.
The area could generate power and produce coal products for both local and international markets. Diamonds exist at the Auridium Mine, though it remains closed currently. The region also has clinker deposits used for cement production in Ward 7. Beyond minerals, investment opportunities include agricultural projects like citrus farms, amacimbi harvesting, baobab fruit processing, coffee growing, and making crafts from natural materials.
About 40 kilometers east of town, rich magnesite deposits sit at the closed Pande Mine, famous for producing over 800,000 tons of this industrial mineral. The area might also contain crystal corundum, limestone, and uranium. Further east, the Bubye Coalfields hold massive coal deposits 120 kilometers from town. A new company called Beitbridge Colliery plans to mine there after the previous operation closed in 1962 following an accident that killed seven people.
Local people call the old mine "Belavhatu," meaning "where people died." The new mining company will dig about 700 meters away from the original shaft. Recent surveys show the coal mine, owned by Zimbabwean businessmen Tinashe and Rodwell Kamuriwo and South African partner Thabiso Mofokeng, should operate for at least 60 years. Local development worker Enock Kwinika believes foreign investment must translate into better infrastructure for rural areas.
He suggests banks should offer loans to local investor groups since starting mining requires lots of money. Oscar Chiromo, who chairs the Beitbridge Rural District Council, says these mineral deposits will help transform rural areas and create industries. He believes the government should make licensing easier and create simple processes for getting mining permits both locally and nationally.
Chiromo thinks communities need better information about mining rules. This would help enforce environmental regulations and ensure responsible practices. He wants to promote Beitbridge mining potential to investors worldwide and provide funding through loans or grants for both small and large mining operations. He encourages partnerships between local and international mining companies to benefit everyone involved in the value chain.
Local journalist Muvhuso Chibi sees recent mining investments as the first step toward awakening a sleeping giant. She believes local leaders must adapt national mining policies to attract investment and support small-scale operations. Communities need education about mining benefits, possibly through short courses and student tours of active mines. If stakeholders create the right environment, mining can empower women in the district.
Properly managed mining brings many benefits, including better infrastructure, reliable electricity, and growth in other businesses. During the Palm River Project ceremony, Mines Minister Winston Chitando confirmed the government's commitment to supporting mining investments through policy reforms, business-friendly changes, and infrastructure development. Global partnerships continue to strengthen, creating mutual benefits and sustainable economic growth.
The minister called the groundbreaking ceremony proof that the current administration can attract major investments and complete transformative projects. Mining contributes 13.3 percent to Zimbabwe's GDP and over 65 percent of export income. Despite challenges like changing commodity prices and global economic problems, mining has grown steadily, with 5.6 percent growth projected for 2025. This comes mainly from increased platinum, gold, chrome, and diamond production.
A $500,000 Palm River Fund will operate for ten years, focusing on youth education as part of corporate social responsibility around Beitbridge. This shows how mining companies can give back to the communities where they operate. The fund will help prepare young people for future opportunities in the growing mining sector, ensuring residents benefit from the mineral wealth beneath their feet for generations to come.
