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By A Correspondent Vice President Dr. Constantino Chiwenga has vowed to bring order and accountability to Zimbabwe’s mining industry, declaring that the days of unchecked mineral exploitation, corruption, and raw exports are numbered. Speaking during a tour of the newly established Gwanda Lithium Mine in the Mandihongola area on Friday, Dr. Chiwenga said the government will no longer tolerate lawlessness in the mining sector, which he said must start benefiting ordinary Zimbabweans. “The era of exporting our minerals in raw form is over,” declared the Vice President. “From January 2026, every mineral — including lithium — must be processed right here in Zimbabwe. We must extract, process, beneficiate, and manufacture locally so that our people enjoy the full value of their resources.” He said the government was determined to ensure transparency in mining operations and clamp down on those who exploit the system for personal gain. “Our mining industry must operate with honesty and integrity,” he said. “We cannot allow a few individuals to enrich themselves while communities live in poverty.” Dr. Chiwenga stressed that mining investments must empower local communities through job creation and infrastructure development. “Investment must be mutually beneficial,” he said. “The investor brings in technology and capital, the community provides the resources, and government ensures fairness for all. That is how Zimbabwe will rise.” He also called on mining companies to take corporate social responsibility seriously. “We want to see clinics, schools, and proper roads being built by these companies,” he said. “The heavy trucks you see passing here were never meant for these roads. The companies must fix what they use.” Dr. Chiwenga further underscored the importance of Zimbabwe’s longstanding ties with China, describing the partnership as one that has stood the test of time. “The coming in of Gwanda Lithium is not by accident,” he said. “It’s part of our continued friendship with China, which supported us during the liberation struggle. Now we are working together to develop our economies.” The Gwanda Lithium Mine, a US$54 million project under Chinese investor Tsingshan Holdings Limited, currently employs about 450 people — most of them locals. Project director Wilfred Motsi said the company was committed to improving operations. “We process the lithium ore through several stages to produce concentrate for export,” he said. “In future, we plan to add more value by producing lithium carbonate locally.” Chiwenga’s bold remarks come at a time when public concern is growing over corruption, illegal mining, and the plundering of national resources. His declaration signals a renewed government effort to restore discipline and fairness in one of Zimbabwe’s most lucrative but chaotic industries. “This is about restoring sanity, transparency, and dignity in our mining sector,” Chiwenga said. “Zimbabwe’s wealth must uplift its people — not outsiders or corrupt middlemen.”
