By Staff Reporter
GOVERNMENT has moved to standardise land development levies charged by Rural District Councils (RDCs) on mining operations, ending years of inconsistent and often unpredictable fees.
The reform is expected to ease the burden on miners, particularly small-scale operators who have struggled with varying charges across districts.
Cabinet approved this following sustained lobbying the Zimbabwe Mining Federation (ZMF).
The organisation has long maintained that uneven and, at times, excessive levies were constraining productivity within the sector.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said the reforms are part of broader efforts to lower the cost of doing business and strengthen the competitiveness of Zimbabwe’s mining industry, a key pillar of the economy.
The introduction of uniform levies replaces a fragmented system that differed from one district to another, often creating uncertainty—especially for smaller mining operations.
Industry stakeholders have welcomed the move, saying it will improve predictability and could help attract new investment into the sector.
Beyond levy harmonisation, Cabinet also approved changes to the regulatory framework.
These include streamlining licensing processes under a single authority and scrapping the “Trading on Mining Location” fee previously charged by the Ministry of Mines.
To support artisanal and small-scale miners, Government has introduced a tiered fee structure based on operational capacity, allowing smaller players to pay less than large-scale companies.
Additional measures include reducing registration fees for precious stones trading, lowering costs for diamond cutting and polishing licences, and introducing new permits for activities such as gold jewellery manufacturing and lithium processing.
While excessive charges are being trimmed, authorities will still retain over 80 percent of reasonable fees within the sector, ensuring continued revenue collection.
Cabinet also pointed to ongoing reforms, including amendments to the Mines and Minerals Act, rollout of the Mining Cadastre System to enhance transparency, and development of a comprehensive Minerals Development Policy.
The reforms are expected to drive growth, encourage formalisation, and boost Zimbabwe’s appeal as a destination for mining investment.
