By: OrePulse

Zimbabwe's Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has begun nationwide inspections of alluvial chrome mining operations and processing plants to check compliance with the country's mining laws, the ministry said.

The inspection drive started on September 25 in Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Midlands provinces, and the ministry said it would expand to cover the rest of the country.

Permanent Secretary for Mines and Mining Development Dr Thomas Utete Wushe said: "The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has begun nationwide blitz inspections of alluvial chrome mining operations and processing plants, effective 25 September 2026, to enforce compliance with mining laws."

Under Zimbabwe's Mines and Minerals Act, chromite is classified as a designated mineral. Section 225 of the Act requires anyone seeking to extract alluvial or eluvial chromite deposits to obtain authorization from the Mining Affairs Board before doing so.

Dr Wushe said operations found not to be compliant would face suspension and penalties, and that processing facilities would also undergo regulatory assessment as part of the campaign. The ministry asked members of the public to assist by reporting suspected illegal chrome mining activity.

The ministry did not give a timeline for extending the inspections beyond the three initial provinces, but said the compliance checks would eventually cover both active mining operations and the processing plants that handle chrome ore once it is extracted. Zimbabwe holds substantial chrome reserves that make a significant contribution to its mining sector, according to the ministry.