Harare – The Zimbabwe government has standardized Rural District Council (RDC) land development levies in the mining sector, bringing an end to inconsistent charges that have been a burden on small-scale miners.
This move is expected to ease pressure on these miners and promote consistency in the industry
The standardization is part of broader efforts to modernize Zimbabwe’s expertise in the mining sector, as outlined in the Mines and Minerals Bill, 2025. The Bill aims to introduce a more transparent and predictable framework for mining operations, including the standardization of local government tariffs.
The policy shift, approved by Cabinet during its 13th sitting chaired by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, follows sustained lobbying by the Zimbabwe Mining Federation (ZMF), which has long argued that fragmented and often excessive fees were crippling production.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube presented the reforms as part of a broader Government drive to cut the cost of doing business and improve competitiveness in the mining industry, a key pillar of Zimbabwe’s economy.
The standardisation brings long-awaited uniformity across districts, replacing a patchwork of levies that varied widely and created uncertainty for miners, particularly those operating at small scale.
Mining stakeholders have welcomed the move, saying it will restore predictability and encourage investment in the sector.
The Cabinet decision also introduces sweeping changes to the mining regulatory framework. These include the streamlining of overlapping licences under a single authority and the scrapping of the controversial “Trading on Mining Location” fee previously charged by the Ministry of Mines.
In a bid to support smaller operators, the government has approved a differentiated fee structure based on capacity, allowing artisanal and small-scale miners to pay less than large-scale firms.
Additional reforms include a reduction in registration fees for dealing in precious stones, lower charges for diamond cutting and polishing licences, and the introduction of new regulatory permits such as those for gold jewellery production and lithium processing plants.
Authorities will retain over 80 percent of reasonable mining sector fees, ensuring continued revenue flows while trimming excess costs.
Cabinet also noted ongoing sector reforms, including the review of the Mines and Minerals Act, the rollout of the Mining Cadastre System to improve transparency, and the development of a comprehensive Minerals Development Policy.
The latest measures are expected to unlock growth, formalise operations and strengthen Zimbabwe’s position as a competitive mining destination.