Africa-Press. Zimbabwe is intensifying its efforts to achieve industrial development based on natural resources by prohibiting individuals and foreign companies from participating in small-scale gold mining. This is the latest step in a broader strategy to enhance local ownership and support the domestic mining industry.
Politburo member announced this policy in the capital, Harare, which requires all foreign companies operating in the small-scale gold mining sector in Zimbabwe to either significantly increase their investments and production or cease operations by January.
The government states that this decision aims to protect local jobs, empower local miners, and retain more mining revenues within Zimbabwe.
He stated, “The small-scale gold mining sector in Zimbabwe is exclusively reserved for Zimbabwean citizens.” This allocation applies to entities whose monthly production does not exceed 20 kilograms and whose total capital investments do not exceed 15 million US dollars.
Small-scale mining contributes 65% of the country’s gold production. During the first four months of the current year, Zimbabwe’s total production reached approximately 12,637 kilograms, marking a 1.3% increase compared to the previous year, according to a local source.
Over the past year, Zimbabwe has significantly reduced its exports of raw minerals, preferring to focus on local value addition, a strategy increasingly adopted by resource-rich African economies seeking to expand their industrial capacities.
The primary focus has been on lithium, a key mineral used in the production of electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems. Zimbabwe announced plans in 2025 to restrict the export of lithium concentrates starting in 2027 to encourage more local manufacturing operations.
This deadline was later accelerated, with authorities implementing an export ban ahead of schedule in February 2026, citing leaks and misconduct, along with concerns that exporting raw materials incurs high costs for the country.
By April, officials imposed stricter rules: companies wishing to resume lithium exports would face mandatory quotas and must agree to establish local processing units before commencing any shipments. Together, the lithium and gold policies reflect a clear strategy: transforming Zimbabwe from a raw material exporter to a center for mineral processing and manufacturing.
If this strategy succeeds, it could stimulate new investments in refining plants, metal smelters, battery material factories, and mining equipment supply chains, leading to job opportunities that far exceed those in the extraction sector.
