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Zimbabwe underexplored
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Vice President Constantino Chiwenga has urged Zimbabwe to intensify geological mapping and mineral exploration, saying large parts of the country remain underexplored despite its vast mineral wealth.
Speaking at the inaugural Exploration Forum held alongside Mine Entra 2026 in Bulawayo on Thursday, Chiwenga said Zimbabwe could not fully benefit from its abundant mineral resources without first improving knowledge of what lies beneath the ground.
"We cannot benefit from resources that remain unexplored, understudied, poorly understood, or inadequately mapped," Chiwenga said.
He noted that Zimbabwe is endowed with critical minerals and rare earth elements that are increasingly in demand as countries compete to secure supplies for artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles and the global transition to clean energy.
Describing the inaugural Exploration Forum as a turning point, Chiwenga said it marked the beginning of a new national drive to place geological knowledge, scientific research and technological innovation at the centre of the country's mining future.
"This inaugural Exploration Indaba marks the beginning of a new national journey, one that places geological knowledge, scientific discovery, innovation, and modern exploration at the center of Zimbabwe's mining future," he said.
The Vice President said mineral exploration was the foundation for expanding the economy, attracting responsible investment and unlocking the full value of Zimbabwe's mineral resources.
He called for greater investment in geological mapping, airborne surveys, geophysical studies and modern digital cadastral systems to address gaps in the country's geological database.
Chiwenga also commended the Geological Survey Department for its role in generating scientific data that supports mineral exploration and welcomed progress towards establishing a fully computerised mining cadastre system.
He said the digital platform would manage more than 60,000 mining licences once fully operational, reducing overlapping claims, improving administrative efficiency and enhancing transparency in the allocation of mineral rights.
The Vice President further highlighted the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, which is before Parliament, saying the proposed legislation seeks to modernise Zimbabwe's mining sector by streamlining licensing procedures, strengthening environmental safeguards, improving investor confidence and ensuring mining communities benefit from mineral development.
According to Chiwenga, mineral exploration will play a central role in achieving Zimbabwe's National Development Strategy by positioning mining as a key driver of industrialisation, exports and sustainable economic growth.
The Exploration Forum brought together government officials, mining executives, geologists, investors, financial institutions and development partners to explore strategies for accelerating mineral exploration and strengthening Zimbabwe's position as a preferred destination for mining investment.
Speaking at the inaugural Exploration Forum held alongside Mine Entra 2026 in Bulawayo on Thursday, Chiwenga said Zimbabwe could not fully benefit from its abundant mineral resources without first improving knowledge of what lies beneath the ground.
"We cannot benefit from resources that remain unexplored, understudied, poorly understood, or inadequately mapped," Chiwenga said.
He noted that Zimbabwe is endowed with critical minerals and rare earth elements that are increasingly in demand as countries compete to secure supplies for artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles and the global transition to clean energy.
Describing the inaugural Exploration Forum as a turning point, Chiwenga said it marked the beginning of a new national drive to place geological knowledge, scientific research and technological innovation at the centre of the country's mining future.
"This inaugural Exploration Indaba marks the beginning of a new national journey, one that places geological knowledge, scientific discovery, innovation, and modern exploration at the center of Zimbabwe's mining future," he said.
The Vice President said mineral exploration was the foundation for expanding the economy, attracting responsible investment and unlocking the full value of Zimbabwe's mineral resources.
He called for greater investment in geological mapping, airborne surveys, geophysical studies and modern digital cadastral systems to address gaps in the country's geological database.
Chiwenga also commended the Geological Survey Department for its role in generating scientific data that supports mineral exploration and welcomed progress towards establishing a fully computerised mining cadastre system.
He said the digital platform would manage more than 60,000 mining licences once fully operational, reducing overlapping claims, improving administrative efficiency and enhancing transparency in the allocation of mineral rights.
The Vice President further highlighted the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, which is before Parliament, saying the proposed legislation seeks to modernise Zimbabwe's mining sector by streamlining licensing procedures, strengthening environmental safeguards, improving investor confidence and ensuring mining communities benefit from mineral development.
According to Chiwenga, mineral exploration will play a central role in achieving Zimbabwe's National Development Strategy by positioning mining as a key driver of industrialisation, exports and sustainable economic growth.
The Exploration Forum brought together government officials, mining executives, geologists, investors, financial institutions and development partners to explore strategies for accelerating mineral exploration and strengthening Zimbabwe's position as a preferred destination for mining investment.
Source - zimlive
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