By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
Zimbabwe is betting big on its critical mineral resources to anchor its economic transformation, with government leaders using the Africa Down Under conference in Perth to court investors for projects that go beyond raw extraction.
Speaking at the event, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said the country’s future lies in building value chains in lithium, platinum group metals (PGMs), chrome and nickel, which are essential for energy transition technologies.
“Zimbabwe is not just a source of raw minerals our thrust is beneficiation and value addition. We are creating conditions where investors can participate in downstream industries such as battery production, steel, fertilisers, and jewellery manufacturing,” Chitando said.
The minister underscored that mineral exports hit US$6.1 billion in 2024, cementing the sector’s role as Zimbabwe’s top foreign currency earner. But he emphasized that the next phase of growth will focus on local processing and manufacturing to stabilize foreign currency flows and create jobs.
The Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA) reinforced this message, telling delegates that Zimbabwe’s legal and policy reforms are designed to give certainty and clarity to investors. Ongoing changes to the Mines and Minerals Act, introduction of a computerised cadastre system, and the rollout of a Responsible Mining Initiative are central to improving transparency, accountability and environmental stewardship.
“Demand for critical minerals is rising sharply, and Zimbabwe has both the resources and the policy framework to become a reliable partner in global supply chains,” ZIDA officials said. “We are particularly open to strategic partnerships that prioritize local beneficiation, ensuring that communities also benefit.”
Zimbabwe holds the world’s second-largest platinum and chrome reserves and is rapidly gaining recognition for its lithium potential, with exploration for rare earth minerals also showing promise.
Chitando concluded with a clear message to investors: “Zimbabwe is positioning itself not just as a mining destination, but as a hub for the green economy.”