The Women Empowerment Mining Zimbabwe (WEMZ) has officially opened norminations for the 2026 Women in Mining Awards, with organisers calling for entries that recognise outstanding achievements by women and institutions driving growth, innovation and inclusivity across Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
Held under the theme “From Recognition to Bankability,” this year’s awards seek to spotlight women who are transforming mining enterprises into structured, investment-ready businesses capable of attracting financing and scaling operations sustainably.
The initiative reflects a broader industry drive towards economic formalisation, financial inclusion and commercial sustainability, particularly among women operating within Zimbabwe’s rapidly expanding extractive sector.
Organisers have set November 15, 2026, as the deadline for submissions, with winners set to be honoured during the Women in Mining Awards Ceremony at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on December 12, 2026.
The awards programme features 20 categories designed to recognise excellence across mineral production, value addition, operational performance, innovation, environmental stewardship and community development.
Key production-focused categories include Best Gold Producer, Best Chrome Producer, Best Lithium Base Minerals Producer and Best Gemstone Value Addition, reflecting the growing role of women in Zimbabwe’s strategic mineral industries.
Awards will also recognise achievements in safety, technology adoption, financial management and resilience, alongside honours for emerging industry talent through the Young Miner Under 35 category.
Environmental and social impact remain central to the competition, with categories such as Green Mining Award, Community Impact Award, Best Export Market Linkage and Lifetime Achievement Award celebrating sustainable and transformative contributions to the sector.
In addition, several awards will honour individuals and institutions advancing gender inclusivity, including Best Male Champion, Gender-Sensitive Mining Company, Best Financial Institution, Best Supplier to Women Miners, Best Cooperative Led by Women and Best Government Extension Support.
Organisers said the emphasis on bankability is intended to encourage women-led mining operations to move beyond informal and subsistence activities into compliant, growth-oriented enterprises that can access mainstream financial services and investment capital.
The awards are expected to attract participation from miners, industry associations, financial institutions, government agencies and community stakeholders, creating a platform to showcase success stories and promote greater inclusion within Zimbabwe’s mineral value chain.
Stakeholders, mining organisations and members of the public have been encouraged to nominate deserving individuals and companies that have demonstrated excellence, leadership and commitment to advancing the mining industry. 
