This
recommendation
was
made
during
a
post-budget
meeting
held
on
December
3,
2024,
which
included
key
stakeholders
such
as
the
Ministry
of
Mines
and
Mining
Development,
parastatals
like
the
Zimbabwe
Mining
Development
Corporation
(ZMDC)
and
the
Minerals
Marketing
Corporation
of
Zimbabwe
(MMCZ),
and
civil
society
organisations,
including
the
Zimbabwe
Environmental
Law
Association,
ActionAid,
and
the
Centre
for
Natural
Resource
Governance.
Metallurgical
laboratories
are
essential
for
assessing
ore
quality
and
optimizing
metal
extraction
processes.
The
absence
of
a
government-owned
facility
has
raised
concerns
among
legislators
over
the
potential
undervaluation
and
mismanagement
of
minerals
before
export.
During
the
session,
MP
Remigious
Matangira
expressed
dissatisfaction
with
the
underfunding
of
the
mining
sector
in
the
2025
National
Budget,
stating
that
the
limited
resources
hinder
the
Ministry’s
ability
to
deliver
on
its
mandates.
“The
current
budget
allocates
34.5
million
ZIG
against
a
bid
of
40
million
ZIG.
Legislators
have
repeatedly
raised
concerns
about
improper
mineral
accounting
before
export.
Establishing
a
metallurgical
laboratory
is
crucial
to
prevent
undervaluation
and
mineral
leakages.
Coordination
with
weighbridge
systems
managed
by
the
Ministry
of
Transport
is
also
necessary,”
he
said.
Matangira
also
criticised
the
Ministry
of
Mines’
vehicle
shortages,
which
impact
mine
inspections,
dispute
resolutions,
and
the
prevention
of
mineral
leakages.
Despite
requesting
70
vehicles
for
2025,
the
Ministry
was
allocated
funds
for
only
22,
with
insufficient
budget
for
vehicle
maintenance.
The
Ministry
of
Mines
initially
requested
2.1
billion
ZIG
for
its
operations
but
received
only
664.7
million
ZIG,
equivalent
to
31.5%
of
its
requirements.
This
allocation
represents
a
smaller
percentage
of
the
national
budget
compared
to
the
previous
year,
despite
the
mining
sector
contributing
nearly
70%
of
Zimbabwe’s
export
earnings.
Matangira
pointed
out
disparities
in
program
funding,
noting
that
the
Policy
and
Administration
program
received
more
funding
than
Mining
Development
and
Management,
which
generates
significant
revenue
for
the
Treasury.
“To
unlock
the
full
potential
of
Zimbabwe’s
mineral
wealth
and
align
with
global
sustainability
standards,
it
is
critical
to
address
funding
gaps,
particularly
for
the
metallurgical
laboratory
and
other
operational
needs,”
he
added.