Harare – The Zimbabwean government has approved a comprehensive reform of licences, permits and fees in the mining sector, aiming to lower operating costs and boost the country’s competitiveness.
The reforms were announced after a Cabinet meeting in Harare, where acting Information Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said the changes are intended to simplify regulations and eliminate long‑standing inefficiencies that have hampered mining operations. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube presented the measures, which follow a 2025 Cabinet resolution to introduce business‑friendly reforms across key sectors of the economy.
Under the new framework, overlapping licences will be consolidated under a single regulatory authority. Several levies have been removed, while others have been reduced. Officials noted that more than 80 % of existing fees were deemed appropriate and will remain unchanged.
A tiered fee structure will now apply, with artisanal and small‑scale miners paying considerably less than large mining companies. Specific adjustments include:
* Registration fees for dealing in precious stones reduced from $15 000 to $10 000, payable every five years.
* Annual inspection fees for mining claims lowered.
* The trading fee on mining locations eliminated.
* Export permit fees for exploration samples cut from $1 875 to $500.
* Commissioning fees halved from $700 to $350.
New, lower‑cost charges have also been introduced, such as a $100 fee for gold‑jewellery manufacturing licences and applications to register lithium‑processing plants. The government will standardise charges imposed by Rural District Councils, capping them at no more than half of current levels, with adjustments based on employment and production.
Minister Ncube clarified that the reforms do not constitute new taxes. “Regulatory fees are paid before doing business, whereas taxes are paid after economic activity,” he said, adding that taxes depend on profitability while fees apply regardless of profit.
The Cabinet also highlighted ongoing reforms, including a review of mining laws, the development of a new minerals policy and the rollout of a digital system to manage mining rights more transparently. Officials expect the changes to formalise small‑scale mining, a significant contributor to Zimbabwe’s mineral output, and to improve the overall ease of doing business, thereby attracting further investment.
These measures signal a concerted effort by the Zimbabwean government to create a more predictable and cost‑effective environment for both domestic and foreign mining enterprises.
