Itai Mazire
Government has with immediate effect reserved its entire small-scale gold mining sector exclusively for indigenous citizens and wholly citizen-owned entities, Mines and Mining Development Minister Honorable Polite Kambamura has said.
He said the overnight policy shift is intended to reshape the country’s strategic mineral wealth.
“With immediate effect, the small-scale gold mining sector in Zimbabwe is reserved exclusively for Zimbabwean citizens and Zimbabwean citizen wholly owned entities.”
The dramatic directive bars all foreign individuals, foreign-controlled companies and foreign beneficial owners from the sector, which covers operations producing up to 20 kilograms of gold per month or involving capital investment up to USD 15 million.
“No foreign individual, foreign-controlled company, or foreign beneficial owner shall be permitted to acquire, hold, or control any mining title classified under the small-scale gold mining category,” said Hon. Kambamura.
The ban also prohibits foreigners from “participat[ing] directly or indirectly in the operation or management of small-scale gold mining activities.”
He warned about direct assault on hidden ownership structures that Government says have fuelled conflicts and unsustainable practices,.
“Any nominee arrangements, proxy ownership structures, undisclosed beneficial ownership arrangements, or other mechanisms intended to circumvent this policy shall be unlawful and subject to cancellation and enforcement action in accordance with the laws of Zimbabwe.”
All existing foreign participants have been given until 1 January 2027 to either scale up production beyond 20 kilograms of gold per month or recapitalise above US$15 million to qualify for large-scale mining status.
“Foreign investors and foreign-controlled entities currently participating in the small-scale gold mining sector are required to regularise their operations by transitioning to mining operations above the prescribed small-scale thresholds,”
He added that those foreign investors who fail to comply will have their licences cancelled.
“All gold produced within the small-scale and large-scale mining sector shall continue to be marketed, sold, and accounted for strictly in accordance with the laws of Zimbabwe and through duly authorised channels.”
And in a final warning to non-compliant claim holders, the Minister said, “Any mining title not re-registered within the prescribed period shall be liable to cancellation or other regulatory action in accordance with applicable law.”
Beyond ownership restrictions, Government unleashed two additional hard-hitting measures under the new policy.
In a dramatic localisation order, Hon. Kambamura demanded that senior and middle management at all gold mines must now be 98 percent Zimbabwean.
“Senior and middle Management staff of gold mines and all other mines, must be constituted of 98 percent of Zimbabweans. We expect immediate compliance to this call,” he said.
Turning to dormant assets, he vowed that speculation on idle mining claims would no longer be tolerated.
“Government will be following up on all idle mining assets being held for speculation,” he said.
Outlining the strategic goals behind the seismic shift, Government made clear that the policy seeks to plug resource leakages and guarantee that mineral wealth benefits Zimbabweans first.
“This policy seeks to prevent illicit mineral trade, fronting arrangements, and resource leakages.”
In a concluding assurance to compliant foreign investors operating at large-scale levels, the Minister added, “Government will continue to support all foreign investments in the mining sector and guarantee security of tenure.”
The policy, effective 22 May 2026, is now immediately enforceable.
All operators have been ordered to re-register their mining titles under a new citizenship and beneficial ownership verification process by 1 January 2027 or face cancellation.
