According to a cabinet minister, Zimbabwe plans to take over mining areas where prospecting efforts failed. The government checked these areas last year when it stopped handing out new prospecting permits. The government aimed to prevent people from holding land without mining it and make the mining business more transparent. By 2023, Zimbabwe had given out 38 active prospecting permits across the country.
Mining matters a lot to Zimbabwe since it employs thousands of people and makes up about 12 percent of all the money the country produces. The nation has over 60 different minerals, though companies only mine about 10 for profit. Mining Minister Winston Chitando told Parliament that the government-run Mining Promotion Company will look for minerals in these claimed areas. He said that when prospecting permits fail, the government will take these locations as its property.
The minister explained they gave these areas to government companies because minerals appear in different spots underground. Some minerals rest near the surface in riverbed deposits, yet others stay hidden deep below. Their searches will show which minerals sit shallow and which need deep mining with heavy funding. The government then chooses who mines each spot based on what resources they need.
Small mining companies can easily work with the shallow riverbed deposits if allowed. These prospecting permits allow investors to hunt specific minerals in certain areas for three years, possibly extending to six years maximum. Chitando mentioned the Mining Promotion Company might partner with private businesses for searching but will remain the leader. His ministry receives yearly money from the national budget, yet never enough for all department needs.
Chitando stated that people can apply to explore areas with expired permits not claimed by the government. Before the permit freeze, many complained that permit holders kept land just hoping prices would rise without actually mining or exploring. Experts say allowing multiple companies into these areas would unlock huge value for mining and boost economic growth. This approach could attract more investment, create many jobs, and bring foreign money into Zimbabwe, helping everyone.
Mining matters a lot to Zimbabwe since it employs thousands of people and makes up about 12 percent of all the money the country produces. The nation has over 60 different minerals, though companies only mine about 10 for profit. Mining Minister Winston Chitando told Parliament that the government-run Mining Promotion Company will look for minerals in these claimed areas. He said that when prospecting permits fail, the government will take these locations as its property.
The minister explained they gave these areas to government companies because minerals appear in different spots underground. Some minerals rest near the surface in riverbed deposits, yet others stay hidden deep below. Their searches will show which minerals sit shallow and which need deep mining with heavy funding. The government then chooses who mines each spot based on what resources they need.
Small mining companies can easily work with the shallow riverbed deposits if allowed. These prospecting permits allow investors to hunt specific minerals in certain areas for three years, possibly extending to six years maximum. Chitando mentioned the Mining Promotion Company might partner with private businesses for searching but will remain the leader. His ministry receives yearly money from the national budget, yet never enough for all department needs.
Chitando stated that people can apply to explore areas with expired permits not claimed by the government. Before the permit freeze, many complained that permit holders kept land just hoping prices would rise without actually mining or exploring. Experts say allowing multiple companies into these areas would unlock huge value for mining and boost economic growth. This approach could attract more investment, create many jobs, and bring foreign money into Zimbabwe, helping everyone.
