Mashonaland West Province is a mining powerhouse in Zimbabwe, rich in gold, platinum, chrome, and lithium, with both large-scale and artisanal operations driving economic growth and investment.
⛏️ Key Minerals and Mining Districts
- Gold:
- Kadoma is a historic gold mining hub, home to RioZim’s Cam and Motor Mine, one of the country’s largest gold producers.
- Numerous small-scale miners operate in the area, contributing significantly to local employment and gold output.
- Platinum Group Metals (PGMs):
- The Zimplats operations in Ngezi are among Zimbabwe’s largest platinum producers.
- In July 2025, the province celebrated the commissioning of an expanded smelter and an 85MW solar plant at the Selous Metallurgical Complex, enhancing beneficiation and energy resilience.
- Chrome and Nickel:
- Found in the Chegutu and Zvimba districts, with potential for ferrochrome production and stainless steel inputs.
- Lithium and Base Metals:
- Exploration is ongoing in Hurungwe and Makonde, where lithium-bearing pegmatites and copper deposits have been identified.
🏭 Value Addition and Infrastructure
- The province is aligning with Vision 2030 and NDS1 by promoting:
- Local beneficiation of minerals (e.g., smelting, refining)
- Solar-powered mining infrastructure, as seen in Zimplats’ energy investments
- Mining value chains linked to manufacturing and exports
- Kadoma is earmarked for mining value chain development, including gold processing, jewelry manufacturing, and mining equipment supply.
💼 Investment and Regulation
- The Provincial Investment Promotion Conference in 2023 emphasized mining as a pillar of GDP growth, alongside agriculture and tourism.
- Investors are encouraged to partner with ZIDA and the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development for licensing and incentives.
- Environmental compliance is monitored by EMA, especially in areas with artisanal mining to mitigate land degradation and water pollution.
🔍 Strategic Outlook
Mashonaland West’s mining sector is poised for:
- Increased exports of PGMs and gold
- Expansion of solar-powered operations
- Formalization of artisanal miners
- Development of mining-linked SMEs
- Minister’s Remarks at Zimplats Commissioning – Ministry of Mines
- Mining Opportunities in Kadoma – Mining Zimbabwe
- Mash West Economic Development Strategy – NewZimbabwe