Zimbabwe to Spotlight Lithium, Gold, and Platinum Transformation at African Mining Week 2025

Cape Town, South Africa – August 11, 2025

Zimbabwe’s Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon. Winston Chitando, has confirmed his participation as a keynote speaker at the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) 2025, Africa’s premier platform for mining investment and policy dialogue. The event will be held from October 1–3 in Cape Town, alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference.

Minister Chitando will join fellow African mining ministers at the high-level Ministerial Forum, themed “From Extraction to Transformation: African Governments Driving Beneficiation and Value Addition.” The forum will spotlight national strategies to enhance local mineral processing, industrial integration, and community development. Zimbabwe’s participation underscores its commitment to reshaping the mining sector through strategic reforms and inclusive growth.

At the heart of Zimbabwe’s presentation will be the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, a landmark reform that mandates community investment by mining firms. This policy shift ensures that mining activities translate into direct social and economic benefits for local populations, reinforcing the government’s emphasis on inclusive development and local content.

Zimbabwe’s lithium sector will be a central focus at AMW 2025. Following the December 2022 ban on raw lithium exports, the country has attracted over $1 billion in new processing investments, positioning itself as a regional hub for battery mineral beneficiation. Notable developments include a $310 million investment at the Sandawana Lithium Mine by British and Chinese firms, a $300 million upgrade at the Bikita Mine by Sinomine Resources, a $300 million investment at the Arcadia Lithium Facility by ZHEJIANG Huayou Cobalt, and the establishment of a new 300-ton-per-day processing plant in Mutoko by Rwizi Rukuru.

In a broader move to integrate mining with industrial production, Zimbabwe launched the $3.6 billion Palm River Energy Metallurgical Special Economic Zone and Industrial Park in March 2025. Located in Beitbridge, the project comprises a 100,000-ton ferrochrome smelting facility, a 1,200 MW coal-fired power plant, and a 7-million-ton-per-year coal mine. This initiative marks a bold step toward industrializing Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth and enhancing energy security.

Zimbabwe will also highlight its expanding gold sector, with a production target of 40 tons in 2025. This builds on a 21.22% increase to 36.48 tons in 2024, driven by new discoveries such as Kavango Resources’ Hillside Gold Project in Matabeleland Province. These developments signal Zimbabwe’s growing potential as a gold producer and its ability to attract exploration investment.

In the platinum group metals (PGM) sector, Zimbabwe is leveraging its world-class reserves to attract global investment and expand production capacity. Karo Platinum is advancing its Ngezi Mine, targeting 226,000 ounces per annum. Earthworks were completed in May 2025, and the company is currently seeking $140 million in funding to finalize the project. Meanwhile, Anglo American continues its expansion efforts at the Unki Mine, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s role as a key player in the global PGM market.

African Mining Week 2025 will showcase Zimbabwe’s commitment to beneficiation, sustainability, and inclusive development—positioning the country as a strategic destination for mining investment in Africa.