Zimbabwe parliament probes energy minerals sector

The Parliament of Zimbabwe has launched an inquiry into the country's energy minerals sector as Zimbabwe seeks to position itself to benefit from growing global demand for strategic resources such as lithium and coal.

The inquiry is being conducted by the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development, which is examining the economic, fiscal and environmental implications of extracting energy minerals.

Committee chairperson Remigio Matangira said the investigation began in 2025 and is now nearing completion.

Speaking during a stakeholder workshop held in Kadoma on Saturday — co-hosted by ActionAid Zimbabwe and the Parliament of Zimbabwe — Matangira said the committee was engaging government institutions, industry players and civil society organisations to gather input for its final recommendations.

"This workshop forms part of an enquiry that is being conducted by the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development on energy minerals in Zimbabwe," he said.

"The enquiry began sometime in 2025 and the committee is now nearing completion, after which we will conduct field visits to mining areas to meet stakeholders affected by energy mineral activities, including communities."

Matangira said energy minerals play a critical role in Zimbabwe's economy, particularly in electricity generation and foreign currency earnings.

"Energy minerals such as coal and lithium contribute significantly to our economy. Coal is key in electricity generation while lithium exports generate foreign currency," he said.

However, the committee is also assessing concerns raised by industry stakeholders over the fiscal framework governing the mining sector.

Matangira noted that during previous engagements with the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, producers expressed concern that multiple taxes could be constraining growth in the industry.

He said the committee was also focusing on ensuring communities living near mining operations benefit from the resources extracted in their areas, in line with provisions of the national constitution.

"As a committee we believe communities living adjacent to mining operations should benefit from the resources found in their areas, in line with Section 13(4) of the Constitution," he said.

Matangira emphasised the need for responsible mining practices to limit environmental damage and safeguard local communities.

"Minerals are a finite resource and once they are exhausted it is the communities that remain with the environmental impacts such as degraded land and contaminated water systems," he said.

Meanwhile, Selina Pasirayi, country director of ActionAid Zimbabwe, said Zimbabwe's vast energy mineral resources place the country at the centre of the global shift toward cleaner energy systems.

She said the growing international demand for minerals such as lithium presents opportunities for economic growth but requires strong governance to avoid negative social and environmental consequences.

"Zimbabwe holds significant deposits of minerals that are attracting global interest and investment. These resources present a real opportunity to support national development through economic growth, employment creation and industrialisation," Pasirayi said.

"However, the extraction and processing of energy minerals can have far-reaching environmental and social consequences if not properly governed, which is why strong oversight and community participation are essential."

The parliamentary committee is expected to compile findings from the inquiry into a report that will guide policy recommendations aimed at strengthening governance, sustainability and community benefits within Zimbabwe's energy minerals sector.