Zimbabwe’s Chamber of Mines has appointed Mimosa Mining CEO Fungai Makoni as chairman through 2027.
Makoni takes office as the mining sector faces major policy changes, including new lithium processing requirements.
The industry is also adapting to royalty reforms and rules requiring part of mining revenues to be received in local currency.
Zimbabwe’s Chamber of Mines has appointed Fungai Makoni as chairman of its board through 2027, placing a veteran mining executive at the helm as the industry adjusts to a series of government reforms.
The appointment was announced on June 19 during the Chamber’s annual conference. Makoni brings more than 18 years of experience in the mining industry and has served as chief executive officer of platinum producer Mimosa Mining since 2013.
He assumes the role after serving as the organization’s second vice chairman and succeeds John Musekiwa, who led the board responsible for shaping the Chamber’s strategic direction. Makoni takes over at a critical time for Zimbabwe’s mining industry, which remains a cornerstone of the country’s economy but faces growing pressure to adapt to new government policies aimed at increasing local value addition.
Lithium is expected to be one of the most closely watched issues during his tenure. The government has made local processing of the battery metal a priority and plans to halt exports of lithium concentrate starting in 2027. Some industry players have argued that the timeline is too aggressive, even as new processing facilities are being developed across the country.
The push for domestic processing extends beyond lithium. Authorities are also seeking greater local beneficiation in the chrome sector, part of a broader effort to capture more value from Zimbabwe’s mineral resources. Gold, the country’s leading mining export, remains another key focus area. Rising global prices have prompted the government to revise its mining royalty system this year, adding another layer of change for producers.
Mining companies are also adjusting to broader economic reforms, including a policy requiring operators to receive part of their revenues in Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG), the country’s local currency. As chairman, Makoni will be expected to represent the interests of industrial mining companies while engaging with policymakers on these and other industry issues.
How those debates evolve—and the direction the Chamber takes under its new leadership—will likely shape the operating environment for Zimbabwe’s mining sector over the next several years.
Aurel Sèdjro Houenou