Zimbabwe mining firms to lose licences in new crackdown

The government is preparing to roll out sweeping reforms that will enforce strict environmental compliance in the mining sector, including a landmark proposal that could see companies stripped of their operating licences for violating environmental laws.

The measures, set to be unveiled under the forthcoming Responsible Mining Initiative Part 2, represent one of Zimbabwe's toughest policy shifts in decades. They come as the country faces intensifying pressure to rein in environmental destruction linked to mining, which contributes more than 60% of national export earnings but has left deep ecological and social scars.

In an exclusive interview, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando said the new policy framework will impose mandatory penalties on operators who fail to rehabilitate land or who operate outside environmental regulations.

"The government takes the issue of the environment very, very seriously," Chitando said. "This new phase will address head-on the issues relating to environmental damage, which will include loss of mining title."

The imminent reforms mark a significant escalation from the original Responsible Mining Initiative, which focused largely on promoting ethical and lawful mining. Part 2 introduces binding enforcement tools and more aggressive oversight of mining companies.

"At the moment, there is no provision for loss of mining title where operators do not comply with environmental laws," Chitando said. "This will change under Responsible Mining Part 2. Every operator must comply — no exception."

The mining sector has long been criticised for deforestation, siltation of major rivers, toxic waste discharge and abandoned pits, with communities in Penhalonga, Mashonaland, and the Midlands provinces bearing the brunt. Analysts say the new framework could redefine how Zimbabwe governs its natural resources, particularly as it seeks to attract billions in fresh investment for its growing critical minerals industry, including lithium.

Chitando said the policy will strengthen coordination between the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the Mines ministry, ensuring mine closure and land rehabilitation plans are implemented before mining begins. It will also introduce clearer monitoring and enforcement systems.

"The Responsible Mining Initiative Part 2 will outline not just penalties but also proactive measures to ensure environmental protection from the start of mining operations," he said.

Government insiders argue the reforms—though stringent—could ultimately boost investor confidence by bringing predictability to a sector often accused of policy inconsistency and political interference. The initiative is also expected to align Zimbabwe with rising global standards on environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance, which are increasingly required by Western financiers.

Communities living near mining activities have welcomed signs of tougher regulation. In Penhalonga, for example, residents say unchecked mining has transformed rivers into toxic sludge and destroyed agricultural livelihoods, while civil society groups have long accused authorities of failing to rein in politically connected miners.

Although Chitando declined to reveal full details ahead of the official launch, he insisted government's position is clear: environmentally non-compliant mining operations will not be tolerated.

"Let's wait for the launch of the Responsible Mining Initiative Part 2," he said. "The government is very determined to ensure that no mining activity takes place if it is not compliant with environmental laws."

If fully implemented, the new framework could reposition Zimbabwe from a frontier jurisdiction with loose regulation to a mineral producer increasingly aligned with sustainability norms shaping global mining markets.