Zimbabwe warns it will repossess dormant coal claims

The government has warned that it will repossess dormant coal concessions as Zimbabwe elevates coal to the status of a special critical mineral in a bid to strengthen energy security, attract fresh investment and expand electricity generation.

The move comes amid renewed global interest in coal, with several major economies reviving coal-fired power generation despite international pressure to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels.

Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura said Zimbabwe could no longer afford to have strategic coal resources lying idle while demand for reliable baseload electricity continues to rise.

Speaking at a mining sector event, Kambamura warned holders of inactive coal concessions that government would reclaim the assets if they remained undeveloped.

"Those that are sitting on coal assets for many years, unfortunately, government is going to take back those coal possessions," he said.

Kambamura said Zimbabwe intends to leverage its vast coal reserves to improve domestic energy security and position itself as a net exporter of electricity in the region.

"I encourage mining companies to partner government in the development of coal energy, considering our vast coal deposits. We will be giving incentives to those who come forward to show interest in developing our coal assets," he said.

The minister criticised what he described as the double standards of developed countries, arguing that while they advocate reduced coal consumption internationally, many are simultaneously reviving coal-fired power stations to secure their own energy supplies.

"In the global arena, they are talking about climate change. But back in their own countries, they are resuscitating those coal-powered thermal plants.

"So we said our coal is now a special critical mineral for us, so that we can unlock that value, be energy-sufficient and become a net exporter of energy. Zimbabwe is not going to be a spectator but an active player in the entire matrix, with a loud voice for a just energy transition," Kambamura said.

He said Zimbabwe remained open to investors bringing capital, technology, expertise, innovation and market access, adding that successful investments directly contribute to national economic growth.

Mining remains Zimbabwe's largest export sector, accounting for about 81% of export earnings and approximately 15% of gross domestic product.

Kambamura said government would continue pursuing a stable and predictable regulatory framework while safeguarding national interests.

"In pursuit of this objective, we shall continue engaging industry, financial institutions and other stakeholders to ensure that Zimbabwe remains competitive while protecting national interests," he said.

He added that investors, financiers and local communities increasingly expect mining companies to meet high environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, making responsible mining essential to the industry's long-term growth.

According to the minister, increased mineral production across several subsectors reflects deliberate policy reforms, investment promotion initiatives and measures aimed at improving the ease of doing business.

However, he said Zimbabwe's long-term prosperity would depend on moving beyond raw mineral extraction towards greater beneficiation and value addition.

"The challenge is whether we can transform our mineral endowments into industrial capacity, jobs, exports, infrastructure, technology and sustainable national prosperity.

"Our beneficiation strategy is founded on one simple principle — local value creation beyond extraction," he said.

Kambamura highlighted the lithium sector as an example of the government's industrialisation strategy, noting that Zimbabwe has progressively shifted from exporting raw ore to producing higher-value processed products.

"Our objective is to develop capacity in lithium sulphate, lithium carbonate and other high-value lithium products that can position Zimbabwe within global mineral value chains.

"The recent shipment of battery-grade lithium sulphate by Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe marks a historic milestone not only for Zimbabwe but for Africa as a whole. It demonstrates that beneficiation is achievable where policy certainty, investor commitment and government support converge," he said.

Zimbabwe exported more than 1.1 million tonnes of spodumene concentrate in 2025.

Kambamura said future mining policy would prioritise value addition over simply increasing production volumes.

"The lesson is clear. Value, not volume alone, must drive the future of our mining sector. I am worried about volumes without value. I would rather work with smaller volumes of high-value products. Volumes and values should be knitted together," he said.

He said the same approach would be applied across other mineral value chains, arguing that Zimbabwe's significant platinum group metals and chrome deposits present opportunities for refining, ferrochrome production, stainless steel manufacturing and broader industrialisation.

"As the world transitions towards cleaner technologies, Zimbabwe intends not only to supply raw materials but to participate meaningfully in value chains associated with critical and transition minerals.

"Last month, we classified our minerals into strategic, critical and special critical minerals," Kambamura said.