*ZIMBABWE ISSUES ULTIMATUM TO MINERS REGULARISE OBLIGATIONS BY 30 AUGUST OR RISK FORFEITURE

HARARE – The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has issued a final warning to all holders of mining titles and mining operators to regularise outstanding obligations by 30 August 2026, failing which their claims risk forfeiture.

In a public notice issued on 10 July 2026 and signed by Permanent Secretary Dr. Thomas U. Wushe, the Ministry directed all stakeholders to visit their respective Provincial Mining Offices to obtain invoices and settle outstanding dues. The directive applies to both large-scale and small-scale operators across the country.

“Failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe may result in forfeiture,” the notice reads. The statement marks one of the Ministry’s most aggressive compliance drives in recent years as government seeks to tighten oversight of the mining sector.

The Ministry said the move is part of efforts to enforce a modernized governance and regulatory framework, one of five strategic pillars under its “Sustainable Mining: Our Legacy” policy.

The other pillars include resource identification, value addition and beneficiation, formalization and empowerment, and sustainability and revenue maximization.

Industry players have long cited a backlog of unpaid fees, rentals, and statutory obligations as a major challenge in the sector. 

The Ministry has not disclosed the total value of outstanding obligations but officials say compliance levels remain low despite repeated warnings.

Mining titles in Zimbabwe require annual payments and adherence to work program commitments. 

Non-compliance has previously led to cancellation of titles, but this is the first time the Ministry has set a nationwide deadline with an explicit forfeiture threat.

Dr. Wushe urged all affected parties to act urgently to avoid disruptions to operations. “Stakeholders are further advised to visit their respective Provincial Mining Offices to obtain their invoices,” the notice stated. Provincial offices are expected to begin issuing statements of account immediately.

The crackdown comes as government pushes to increase revenue from minerals and formalize artisanal and small-scale mining. Mining remains Zimbabwe’s top foreign currency earner, contributing over 60% of export receipts, but leakages and informality continue to undermine potential earnings.

Analysts say the deadline will test the Ministry’s capacity to process thousands of accounts within 7 weeks, with Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare and Gweru offices likely to see long queues as the 30 August cut-off approaches.

The Ministry has made available multiple contact channels including its head office at Cnr Leopold Takawira Street and Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, and had  warned that no extensions will be granted beyond the set date.