Zimbabwe mining sector to unlock 100,000 new jobs amid investment surge

Zimbabwe’s formal mining sector is projected to create up to 100,000 jobs over the next five years, in line with Vision 2030 objectives, with nearly half of the new positions expected to be filled by engineers and other key technical specialists. The outlook reflects a continued expansion of operational capacity and increasing technological sophistication across the industry. This was reported by The Herald, a partner of TV BRICS.

The growth trajectory is being underpinned by sustained investment in gold, lithium, platinum and chrome, alongside a national focus on beneficiation and value addition. These developments are reinforcing mining’s position as a central pillar in Zimbabwe’s broader strategy to transition towards an upper-middle-income economy under Vision 2030.

At present, the formal mining sector employs around 60,000 people and remains one of the country’s most significant formal employers. According to the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe (CoMZ), the industry contributes approximately 14.5 per cent to Gross Domestic Product, generates about US$7.7 billion in output, accounts for around 20 per cent (US$1.7 billion) of fiscal revenues, and delivers more than 45 per cent (US$8 billion) of foreign currency inflows.

Experts highlighted the sector’s strong expansion outlook, noting that the industry requires at least 100,000 additional workers over the next five years, with a significant share allocated to engineering disciplines. They also pointed to recent performance trends, including 7.3 per cent growth in 2025 and a projected 10 per cent expansion this year, alongside expectations of a mineral export boom potentially reaching US$21 billion within the next two years.

Economist Persistence Gwanyanya, who is also a member of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), observed that rising labour demand is closely linked to a new investment cycle in mining. He noted that the expansion of existing operations and the development of new projects are strengthening Zimbabwe’s integration into global mineral supply chains, particularly in strategic commodities such as lithium, platinum and gold.