Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Source: Mining aims to rake in US$7bn exports receipts – herald

Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent

THE Government is targeting a total of US$7 billion in mineral export receipts this year, while seeking to surpass its 50-tonne national gold delivery benchmark, backed by tight monitoring policies designed to plug leakages and maximise resource returns.

The ambitious multi-billion-dollar target follows an exceptional performance by the sector in 2025, which laid a robust foundation for current growth.

Official data from the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe and Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) shows that mineral export receipts, excluding gold and silver, surged 14 percent to hit US$3,4 billion in 2025, up from US$2,9 billion the prior year, driven primarily by strong volumes in Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) and lithium.

Concurrently, national gold deliveries shattered historical records last year, climbing 28 percent to achieve an unprecedented 46,7 tonnes.

This surpassed the Government’s initial 40-tonne projections and injected  US$2,6 billion into the economy, with artisanal and small-scale miners anchoring the output by delivering 34.9 tonnes (75 percent) of the total haul. 

Speaking on the sidelines of a Ministerial staff meeting in Harare yesterday, Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura confirmed that the sector has already generated at least US$2 billion so far this year and remains firmly on a growth                                     trajectory.

“Definitely, we are on course and our target is 50 tonnes, but we are expecting to surpass that target,” Minister Kambamura said.

“I think you have noticed some new policies that we have come up with to make sure that every gramme, every ounce of gold, is delivered to Government.”

He warned side-marketers that law enforcement and regulatory bodies will be maintaining strict oversight on all mining operations to ensure maximum compliance.

“The Ministry will be looking at those deliveries with an eagle eye to see that every miner who is digging up a hole has some meaningful returns to the Government,” Minister Kambamura said.

He said the positive export projections are heavily anchored by firming world market prices for gold and PGMs, alongside rapid value-addition transitions in the lithium sub-sector.

Following a high-level meeting with executives from Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ) last week, Minister Kambamura revealed that the firm’s newly established plant at Arcadia in Goromonzi is now positioning to upgrade its output to higher-value products.

“The coming in of lithium prospects . . . with lithium sulphate products is actually a feather in our cap in terms of improvement of revenue,” Minister Kambamura said.

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Source: UK, Dutch envoys want more trade – herald

Mukudzei Chingwere-Senior Reporter

The United Kingdom is looking forward to working with Zimbabwe in the United Nations Security Council as well as scaling up trade and economic cooperation, outgoing British Ambassador Pete Vowles has said.

He was speaking after paying a courtesy call on Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga in Harare yesterday.

Ambassador Vowles said the relationship between the two countries has now normalised, enabling both sides to engage openly and constructively in the same forum on areas where they agree and on those where they differ.

He noted that Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom enjoy a strong partnership built over many years on shared interests, pointing in particular to the bond strengthened through sport and cultural links.

The Ambassador also referred to the longstanding ties between the two peoples, including opportunities for Zimbabweans and Britons to study and work in each other’s countries.

“We talked a lot about the economic portfolio, economic partnership between the UK and Zimbabwe, we are really proud of some of the work we have done on trade,” said Ambassador Vowles.

“We talked about how we can increase the number of Zimbabweans who can access our UK markets through our duty-free, quota-free tariff arrangements.

“We talked about the success of some of our investments, particularly in the agricultural sector, our financial institutions investing in agriculture, solar, and the Vice President was keen to hear about the economic partnerships.

“The Vice President and I agreed on the need to up the pace and speed of the UK companies’ investments in Zimbabwe, so it was a good conversation.

“There is so much that connects our two countries, whether you are an Arsenal fan, you have a sister or brother working in the UK, or you were educated in the UK so with the team at the embassy we need to continue to amplify those relationships. At the political level, to be back in the room talking together, talking about the things we agree with, we disagree with, I am proud we got to that point,” said Ambassador Vowles. He talked about the election of Zimbabwe into the security council and shared on the nature of discussions in that forum.

“I congratulated the Vice President and Zimbabwe on joining the United Nations Security Council following the vote yesterday,” said Ambassador Vowles.

“The UK as a Security Council member, we are really looking forward to working with Zimbabwe in some of the global challenges we face today – climate change, peace and security, territorial sovereignty – these are the kind of things we will be talking about in the security council.”

Speaking to journalists after meeting VP Chiwenga yesterday, the Netherlands Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Matthijs van Eeuwen, said the development represents a milestone for the country.

The Ambassador highlighted the economic ties between the two countries, noting that recent trade figures are showing a promising upward trend.

“I just had a very pleasant conversation with the Honourable Vice President, we spoke mostly about trade, a lot of things we have in common in terms of economic relations,” said Ambassador Matthijs van Eeuwen.

“We spoke about the BIPPA (Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement) farmers, the progress made and the potential for further growth.

“The trade figures have doubled over the past four years, but there is more potential for growth mostly in renewable energy, agriculture and water.”

Ambassador van Eeuwen said he also congratulated VP Chiwenga on Zimbabwe’s UNSC seat, explaining that the announcement had received major international visibility.

“I congratulated the Vice President on Zimbabwe’s non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council, and I shared that it was even in the Dutch newspapers – front page news. So, I think it’s a big milestone for the country and for its people that Zimbabwe is stepping up its internal engagements,” said Ambassador van Eeuwen.

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Source: 3 diplomats present letters of credence – herald

Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter

ACCREDITED Ambassadors from Bangladesh, Peru and Mauritania presented their letters of credence to President Mnangagwa at State House in Harare yesterday.

The Ambassadors were Shah Ahmed Shafi of Bangladesh, Jose Javier Augusto Shaw of Peru and Amedi Camara of Mauritania.

In an interview after his closed-door meeting with the President, Ambassador Shafi said his country was looking to open an Embassy in Harare “in the not-so-distant future”.

“Actually, we started our diplomatic relations in 1981,” he said.

President Mnangagwa greets incoming Bangladeshi Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Shah Ahmed Shafi, after receiving his letters of credence at State House in Harare yesterday.

“We will open our diplomatic mission in Harare.

“We are planning because with the growth of the economy, we are opening up in some African countries and Latin American countries.”

Ambassador Shafi also said cricket has served as the impetus for people-to-people relations between Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, as well as agriculture-centric nations.

“The people (of Bangladesh) know Zimbabwe, particularly for cricket here.

“And also, we are both agricultural countries,” he said.

Bangladesh is looking to collaborate with Zimbabwe in the textile and garment-making industries.

“Now, my country is becoming an industrial country and I spoke with His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe, that we will explore the possibility of cooperation, particularly in the textile and garment industries,” he said.

Ambassador Shaw of Peru began by congratulating Zimbabwe on its election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a non-permanent member.

President Mnangagwa welcomes Mr Jose Javier Augusto Shaw, Peru’s new Ambassador to Zimbabwe, after receiving his letters of credence at State House in Harare yesterday. — Pictures: Believe Nyakudjara.

“I would like to congratulate the Government and the people of Zimbabwe for the election yesterday (Wednesday) as a non-permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations,” he said.

This year marks 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Zimbabwe and Peru.

The diplomat said Peru is looking to collaborate with Zimbabwe in various areas, including mining and agriculture.

“The last opportunity that a Peruvian Ambassador presented credentials here in Zimbabwe was in 1997, almost 29 years ago. Well, we discussed with His Excellency the President the possibility of strengthening and deepening our bilateral relations in many sectors, such as the mining sector, the agricultural sector, but also the possibilities in the cultural and academic sectors.

“We also share a great experience in tourism,” he said.

Ambassador Camara said Mauritania is looking to collaborate with Zimbabwe in several sectors, including education and peace and security.

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Source: Zim got 182 votes in winning UN Security Council seat after 33 years  –Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Jun. 4 (NewsDay Live) – Zimbabwe has been elected to the United Nations Security Council as a non-permanent member, securing 182 votes in the UN General Assembly and returning to the powerful body for the first time in 33 years.

The election, held Wednesday at UN headquarters in New York, saw Zimbabwe win the African Group’s allocated seat for a two-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2027, and ending Dec. 31, 2028. The country will replace Somalia on the 15-member council.

Zimbabwe previously served on the Security Council in 1983-84 and 1991-92, making this its third stint on the world’s most influential peace and security body.

The 182 votes were cast by 191 member states present and voting in the General Assembly. Zimbabwe was the sole candidate endorsed by the African Group for the seat, although UN rules still required it to secure a two-thirds majority to be elected.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa welcomed the outcome, describing it as evidence of Zimbabwe’s growing international acceptance.

“I am extremely humbled by the support Zimbabwe has received from the international community. It means that Zimbabwe has very excellent relations with the rest of the world,” he said.

In a separate statement, Mnangagwa said the result reflected the success of his government’s engagement and re-engagement policy.

“This resounding victory underscores the effectiveness of our Engagement and Re-engagement agenda,” he said, adding that Zimbabwe would use its tenure to advocate for a more equitable international order while advancing African interests.

The Security Council is the only UN body empowered to make legally binding decisions, including imposing sanctions and authorizing the use of force. While non-permanent members do not possess veto powers, they participate fully in debates and voting on resolutions concerning international peace and security.

Zimbabwe joins Austria, Portugal, Trinidad and Tobago and Kyrgyzstan as the newly elected non-permanent members for the 2027-28 term. Kyrgyzstan secured its seat after defeating the Philippines in a competitive election, while Zimbabwe and Trinidad and Tobago were elected from uncontested regional slates.

The new members will replace Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Amon Murwira said Zimbabwe would pursue principled multilateralism during its tenure and remain guided by a foreign policy anchored on being “a friend to all and an enemy to none.”

The election comes at a time when the Security Council faces mounting challenges, including divisions among major powers over conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, which have repeatedly exposed the body’s limitations in responding to global crises.

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Source: MDC rejects CAB3 results, says consultation process was rigged   –Newsday Zimbabwe

HARARE, Jun. 4 (NewsDay Live) – The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has rejected parliamentary voting results on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3), alleging the public consultation process was manipulated to manufacture support for the proposed constitutional changes.

The opposition’s response follows the release of a report by Parliament’s joint portfolio committees on the Constitution Amendment (No. 3) Bill, detailing submissions received during nationwide public consultations.

In a statement, MDC national spokesperson Lloyd Damba dismissed the reported figures, which indicate that 537,102 people supported the bill compared to 2,935 who opposed it.

“Parliament has released results claiming 537,102 citizens support CAB3 against only 2,935 opposed. The MDC rejects these numbers as a fraud, not a reflection of the people’s will,” Damba said.

“A bill that seeks to remove your right to vote, drag chiefs into partisan politics and hand voter registration to the Attorney General cannot win the hearts of 99.5% of Zimbabweans.”

CAB3 has sparked intense debate, with critics arguing that some of its provisions could weaken democratic institutions and expand executive influence over key state functions.

Damba alleged that public consultations were influenced by ruling party structures and traditional leaders.

“This is not a consultation. It is coercion,” he said. “The ‘landslide’ was manufactured through village heads, chiefs and Zanu PF-affiliated structures that threatened villagers, bused supporters to hearings and flooded email platforms with identical submissions.”

He further claimed that some citizens feared reprisals for expressing opposition to the bill.

“When citizens face threats of land confiscation, grain denial or violence for saying ‘no’, the results will always favour the bullies,” Damba said.

The MDC challenged the government and Parliament to subject the proposed amendments to a national referendum.

“If Parliament truly believes its own numbers, then let the people decide. We dare Zanu PF to call a national referendum on CAB3,” Damba said.

“Put the bill to a secret ballot and let Zimbabweans vote without chiefs, village heads or intimidation watching over their shoulders.”

He said the opposition would continue to oppose the bill, arguing that the consultation outcome did not reflect the views of all Zimbabweans.

Several civil society organisations have also questioned the figures contained in the parliamentary report, arguing that independent verification and greater transparency are necessary before the results can be relied upon as evidence of public support for constitutional amendments.

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