AFRICAN Mining Week (AMW) 2026 will connect Zimbabwean mining stakeholders and regulators with global investors as the country steps up efforts to build a US$12 billion mining industry by 2030.
The conference, scheduled for Cape Town from October 14 to 16, will feature a dedicated Zimbabwe country spotlight highlighting opportunities across the country’s mining value chain.
Energy Capital & Power said the spotlight will bring together investors, service providers and senior decision-makers from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, and leading mining companies.
The engagement comes as Zimbabwe seeks fresh capital to unlock value from more than 60 known mineral occurrences, including gold, lithium, platinum group metals, chrome, coal and rare earths.
“In a major move to improve investment competitiveness, Zimbabwe reduced mining-related license and permit fees in May 2026, lowering operational costs for investors while streamlining market participation,” Energy Capital & Power said in a statement on Thursday.
“Registration fees for dealing in precious stones have been reduced from US$15 000 to US$10 000, while export permit fees have been cut from US$1 875 to US$500. New licensing categories — including permits for gold jewellery manufacturing and lithium processing plants — have also been introduced as part of a broader strategy to promote investment across in-country value addition projects.”
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The organisation said the reforms followed the introduction of export quotas for lithium concentrates in April 2026 ahead of a planned 2027 ban on concentrate exports.
“The shift is already reshaping the country’s lithium industry, with Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt achieving Zimbabwe’s first export shipment of lithium sulphate salts in April 2026,” it said.
Energy Capital & Power said AMW 2026’s Zimbabwe spotlight would give investors insights into the country’s evolving regulatory environment while showcasing opportunities in lithium processing and other areas of the mining value chain.
Zimbabwe’s gold sector is also expected to attract renewed investor interest amid strong global gold prices, averaging US$5 000 per ounce. The country’s sovereign wealth fund, Mutapa Investment Fund, is seeking US$250 million to expand gold mining operations.
“AMW 2026 offers a timely platform for investors to engage with one of Africa’s most prospective brownfield gold markets and explore opportunities across exploration, mine expansion and processing infrastructure,” the statement reads in part.
The conference will also focus on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) formalisation, which aligns with Zimbabwe’s mining development strategy.
In May 2026, Zimbabwe certified 300 small-scale miners after completing training programmes on safety, compliance and productivity. Supported by funding from Mutapa Gold Resources — a subsidiary of Mutapa Investment Fund — the initiative aims to train and formalise 1 500 ASM players.
“As the official platform where Africa’s mining opportunities are discussed and maximised, AMW 2026 will provide stakeholders with market intelligence on Zimbabwe’s evolving mining landscape and investment outlook,” Energy Capital & Power said.