The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Thomas Utete Wushe, has engaged Approved Prospectors and other mining stakeholders in Kadoma, where industry players welcomed recent administrative reforms while calling for further improvements to mining title administration, exploration licensing and access to mining information.
The meeting, attended by officials from the Ministry and members of the Zimbabwe Prospectors Association (ZPA), provided a platform for prospectors to discuss operational challenges and propose measures aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency and investor confidence in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
A key issue raised during the engagement was the Ministry’s decision to discontinue routine ground verification of mining claim applications by Provincial Mining Offices, a reform that took effect on November 1, 2026.
Prospectors applauded the move, saying the previous verification system often delayed the registration of mining claims while increasing administrative costs and logistical burdens. They welcomed the Ministry’s decision to place greater trust in Approved Prospectors, while acknowledging the need to uphold high standards of professionalism, integrity and compliance with mining laws.
Industry representatives said the reform is expected to reduce bottlenecks in claim registration, speed up processing times and allow government resources to be redirected toward broader mineral development initiatives.
The discussion also focused on challenges surrounding Exclusive Prospecting Orders (EPOs), with prospectors expressing concern over applications that remain unresolved for extended periods. They said delays create uncertainty for investors and can hinder exploration activities.
While recognising the importance of EPOs in supporting large-scale mineral exploration, participants urged the Ministry to ensure timely decisions and effective monitoring of exploration commitments to balance investor interests with access to mineral-bearing ground.
Stakeholders also called for easier access to updated mining maps, mining title records and information on EPOs and reserved areas. Prospectors said limited access to such information often makes it difficult to identify available ground and can increase the risk of administrative disputes.
To address these challenges, they advocated for the development of a modern digital cadastre system, harmonisation of mining survey records and the creation of a centralised database to improve transparency, consistency and confidence in mining title administration.
The prospectors further highlighted the need for uniform administrative procedures across Provincial Mining Offices, noting that differences in documentation and processing requirements create uncertainty and increase compliance costs for operators working across multiple provinces.
Attention was also drawn to the need to strengthen services at the Kadoma Mines Office. Stakeholders said expanding the range of services available locally would improve service delivery and reduce the need for miners and prospectors to travel to other mining offices for administrative processes.
The engagement additionally addressed the importance of safeguarding existing mining rights during the implementation of new policies and administrative reforms. Prospectors called for clear communication, consistent implementation and appropriate transitional arrangements to ensure policy changes do not create uncertainty for existing rights holders and investors.
The Zimbabwe Prospectors Association welcomed the engagement, describing direct interaction between policymakers and industry practitioners as critical to improving mining administration and promoting responsible mineral exploration.
Participants said continued collaboration between government and industry would be essential in advancing a more efficient, transparent and investment-friendly mining sector capable of unlocking Zimbabwe’s mineral potential. 
