Hon. W. Chitando and Dr. Mushayavanhu Chart Bold Vision for Zimbabwe’s Mining and Monetary Future at Annual Mining Conference

A sense of purpose and renewed momentum swept through the grand halls of Elephant Hills Resort as the Annual Mining Conference entered a defining moment, marked by powerful addresses from two of Zimbabwe’s most influential policymakers. Held under the theme “Unlocking Growth Potential for the Zimbabwe Mining Industry,” the conference continues to solidify Zimbabwe’s position as a rising force in regional and global mining.

Guest of Honour, Honourable Winston Chitando, Minister of Mines and Mining Development, delivered a keynote address that resonated with delegates, industry players, and regional observers alike. With clarity and conviction, Hon. Chitando detailed Zimbabwe’s current mining trajectory and laid out a strategic roadmap focused on investment, modernization, and inclusive development.

“Mining is not only the backbone of our economy—it is the engine of transformation. We are deepening reforms to make Zimbabwe a globally attractive mining destination while ensuring that our natural resources translate into sustainable development for all citizens,” said Hon. Chitando.

He highlighted the government’s aggressive push toward beneficiation and value addition, particularly in lithium, platinum group metals (PGMs), and gold, along with the promotion of artisanal and small-scale miners through formalization, training, and access to capital. Hon. Chitando also confirmed that Zimbabwe is targeting a US$12 billion mining industry, driven by both foreign direct investment and homegrown innovation.

Following this, the spotlight turned to Dr. John Mushayavanhu, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, whose address focused on the monetary policy outlook, macroeconomic stability, and the central bank’s de-dollarization roadmap.

“A stable and predictable monetary environment is crucial for mining and investment growth,” Dr. Mushayavanhu said. “Our current focus is on implementing deliberate stabilization measures—anchored in monetary discipline, exchange rate transparency, and inflation control.”

Dr. Mushayavanhu outlined strategies under the de-dollarization framework, signaling a measured transition that prioritizes confidence-building among investors and the general public. He stressed the importance of maintaining dual currency functionality in the short to medium term while introducing systems that enhance the competitiveness and trust in the Zimbabwean dollar.

The Governor also reassured stakeholders of the Reserve Bank’s commitment to ensuring foreign currency retention frameworks remain investor-friendly, particularly in the mining sector where export earnings are vital to the national balance of payments.

The presence of high-ranking government officials and monetary authorities at the conference underscored the sector’s central role in Zimbabwe’s national development agenda. With these visionary remarks, the conference continued to inspire optimism and dialogue around unlocking the country’s vast mineral wealth.

As the sessions progressed into the afternoon, delegates engaged in focused discussions on fiscal incentives, environmental sustainability, and the global positioning of Zimbabwean minerals in the energy transition.

By Witness A Phiri