Harare – Calls for greater empowerment of local communities and traditional leaders took centre stage during a plenary session at a half-day workshop convened to unpack the Mines and Mining Bill.
Honourable R.T. Matangira, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development, set the tone by urging legislators and stakeholders to ensure that the Bill addresses long-standing inequalities in the mining sector—particularly between foreign investors and local stakeholders.
“The Bill must not only regulate but transform,” said Hon. Matangira. “Communities sitting on mineral wealth should not remain poor spectators. They must be owners of claims and direct beneficiaries of the minerals extracted from their land.”
His remarks were reinforced by Honourable Supa Mandiwanzira, who stressed the critical need to involve traditional leadership in the decision-making structures of the mining sector, including representation on the Mines and Mining Affairs Board.
“If chiefs and headmen are excluded, then the Bill risks further alienating communities who have historically been left behind,” said Hon. Mandiwanzira.
He further outlined three key proposals to be considered for inclusion in the new legislation:
Mandatory technology transfer from foreign investors to help Zimbabwe develop advanced mineral extraction capabilities.
Training and capacity-building programs for local communities to meaningfully participate in the mining value chain.
Establishment of a state-owned laboratory for mineral testing to reduce dependence on foreign-owned certification facilities.
Both lawmakers emphasized that the Mines and Mining Bill presents an opportunity to recalibrate the sector towards equity, sustainability, and national benefit. Stakeholders in attendance, including civil society and community-based organisations, welcomed the push for more inclusive reforms.
As the Bill enters further stages of scrutiny, the conversation is shifting from extraction to empowerment—signalling a turning point in Zimbabwe’s approach to its mineral wealth.
