By Desire Tshuma
HARARE — The Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) has thrown its weight behind the Government’s decision to suspend the export of raw minerals and lithium concentrates, describing the move as long overdue — but cautioning that workers must not be left behind in the transition.
For years, Zimbabwe has exported critical minerals such as platinum, lithium and chrome in their raw form, a practice critics say deprived the country of full economic value and allowed potential revenue to slip through the cracks.
The new policy seeks to reverse that trend by promoting in-country value addition and beneficiation.
ZDAMWU Secretary-General Justice Chinhema said the union supports the thrust of the decision, noting that it aligns with continental aspirations under the Africa Mining Vision, which advocates for transparent, equitable and optimal exploitation of mineral resources.
“We support this move as it promotes value addition and industrialisation,” Chinhema said. “However, we are concerned about the potential impact on mine workers’ jobs and call for a more inclusive and consultative approach going forward.”
Zimbabwe Diamond Allied Minerals Workers Union Secretary General – Justice Chinhema
While the export ban has been welcomed as a bold step toward economic transformation, workers are anxious about what it could mean for employment in the short term.
Shifting from exporting raw minerals to processing them locally will require new infrastructure, new skills and, potentially, temporary production adjustments.
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has sought to allay such fears, saying the policy is designed not only to boost national revenue but also to create decent jobs within Zimbabwe.
“We are committed to working with all stakeholders, including trade unions, to ensure that the new framework benefits both the country and the workers,” a ministry spokesperson said.
The Government views the measure as part of a broader strategy to achieve Vision 2030, which aims to transform Zimbabwe into an upper middle-income economy.
Central to that vision is participatory, rights-based mineral governance anchored on respect for human rights and decent work.
ZDAMWU has since called for structured social dialogue involving the ministry, employers and labour representatives to ensure a smooth rollout of the policy.
The union is also pushing for firm guarantees that any new processing plants established under the value-addition drive will be unionised, safe and fully compliant with labour laws.
For many in the sector, the ban represents both opportunity and uncertainty — a chance to build a stronger mining value chain at home, but also a moment that demands careful planning to protect livelihoods.
As Zimbabwe repositions its mining industry, the coming months will test how effectively economic ambition can be balanced with worker security.
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