Govt finalises mining cadastre rollout
STAFF WRITER
The Government is finalising the rollout of a digital mining cadastre system as it moves to modernise Zimbabwe’s mining title management and bring greater transparency, accuracy, and efficiency to the sector.
From July 1, 2025, all existing mining title holders, new applicants, and those with pending applications will be required to submit updated coordinates that meet newly adopted geospatial data standards.
The reform is part of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development’s implementation of the Mining Cadastre Information Management System (MCIMS), a fully computerised platform for managing mining rights and operations across the country.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Mr Pfungwa Kunaka, said the initiative marks a critical step towards aligning Zimbabwe’s mining governance with international norms and digital technologies.
“The Ministry is finalising the migration to a computerised Mining Cadastre Information Management System to record and manage all mining titles and related operations,” Kunaka said.
“The new system requires that the coordinates conform with the UTM Arc 1950 Coordinate System and the Clarke 1880 Spheroid standards.”
He noted that the digital cadastre will help address long-standing issues such as overlapping claims, disputes, and inefficient manual processes by introducing a uniform and verifiable digital registry for mining titles.
“This is not intended to involve repegging of claims but rather to integrate all existing and new mining title information into the national e-cadastre management system,” he explained.
To comply, all miners must have their coordinates professionally captured by registered mine surveyors using survey-grade equipment and adhering to both national and international standards.
“For the avoidance of doubt, coordinates should be picked by registered mine surveyors, using survey-grade instruments and adhering to national and international best practices and standards,” said Kunaka.
All active claim holders will be required to submit their coordinates in the prescribed format at the point of renewal. Likewise, new and pending title applications must conform to the updated system.
“The intention is to develop a reliable and transparent framework for mining title administration that promotes good governance and investor confidence,” Kunaka said. “Any attempts to compromise the integrity of the system will be dealt with in terms of applicable laws.”
Miners can access lists of registered mine surveyors at all provincial mining offices or through the office of the Chief Government Mining Engineer to assist with the transition.
Zimbabwe, endowed with vast mineral resources including gold, lithium, chrome, platinum, nickel, and coal, is expected to benefit immensely from the streamlined cadastre. The MCIMS is set to eliminate administrative bottlenecks, enhance transparency, and promote responsible resource development by creating a centralised, verifiable repository of mining rights.
This digital shift is expected to boost investor confidence, support more effective sector regulation, and position Zimbabwe as a more attractive destination for mining investment in the region.
