ALL mining title holders with outstanding obligations have been given up to December 31 to regularise their claims or risk losing them, as Government intensifies a crackdown on illegal alluvial chrome mining.
In July, the Government had given all mining title holders and operators a directive to regularise their outstanding statutory obligations by August 30.
The latest deadline affects mining rights holders regardless of scale, with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development ordering them to settle outstanding statutory obligations, obtain approved payment plans where applicable, secure surveyed coordinates and complete all outstanding regularisation requirements.
In a public notice signed by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Dr Thomas Utete Wushe, dated October 2, 2026, the Government has directed all mining rights holders, regardless of scale, with outstanding statutory obligations to urgently regularise their mining rights.
“The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development hereby informs all mining rights holders, regardless of scale, with outstanding statutory obligations to regularise their mining rights on or before 31 December 2026.
“Mining rights holders are required to: engage their respective Provincial Mining Offices without delay; settle all outstanding statutory obligations or obtain an approved payment plan; secure surveyed coordinates and complete all outstanding regularisation requirements; and submit and finalise regularisation applications well before the deadline,” reads part of the notice.
The Government has warned that failure to comply would result in forfeiture of mining rights and/or other enforcement action in terms of the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05].
In this context, the hard deadline comes as mining remains one of the country’s major sources of foreign currency and investment, with the Government seeking to maximise returns from Zimbabwe’s vast mineral resource base.
The move also comes as authorities have launched nationwide blitz inspections of alluvial chrome mining operations and processing plants, signalling a tougher enforcement approach against mining activities being conducted outside the law.
In a statement, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development said the alluvial chrome inspections, which commenced on September 25, are initially targeting Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Midlands provinces, before being extended to other parts of the country.
The inspections cover both mining operations and processing plants, with officials checking compliance with the country’s mining laws and regulations.
“Under Section 222 of the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05], chromite is a designated mineral, and no person may work its alluvial or eluvial deposit without a Mining Affairs Board order under Section 225.
“Non-compliant operations face suspension and penalties. Processing plants will also be inspected for regulatory compliance,” reads part of the statement.
Chrome, one of Zimbabwe’s strategic minerals, generated about US$221,8 million in export earnings through chrome and ferrochrome sales in the first six months of this year, according to official Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) figures.
The figure underscores the economic stakes of Government’s crackdown on illegal alluvial chrome mining and efforts to ensure that mineral production is undertaken by holders of valid mining rights.
The Government’s latest twin measures are expected to bring increased scrutiny to mining rights that have remained irregular, as well as operations extracting minerals without the requisite legal authority.
The ministry has called on members of the public to report suspected illegal alluvial chrome mining to its toll-free landline 08004577, via askminister@mines.gov.zw, or to the relevant Provincial Mining Director.
The twin measures — a December deadline for mining rights holders and immediate inspections of alluvial chrome operations — represent a tightening of enforcement as the Government moves to ensure that mineral extraction is backed by valid mining rights and statutory compliance.-herald
