Published: 16 hours ago

The Mineral Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) has taken a major step in the fight against illicit mineral trade by acquiring drone technology to enhance surveillance and mineral accounting across the country. This initiative forms part of broader efforts by the State-owned entity to improve transparency and curb mineral leakages that have cost Zimbabwe millions of dollars annually.

MMCZ general manager Dr Nomsa Moyo confirmed the development in a statement, saying the drones will be used to monitor mineral transit cargo, stockpiles at production sites, and movements in remote mining areas. Once regulatory approvals are in place, the drones will also provide real-time data on suspected illegal operations.

"The drones will allow us to precisely measure volumes of excavated materials and stockpiles," said Dr Moyo. "This will enable more accurate reconciliation with declared production figures and help identify discrepancies that may signal smuggling or under-declaration."

The mining sector remains a cornerstone of Zimbabwe's economy, contributing about 12 percent to the Gross Domestic Product and accounting for roughly 80 percent of total export earnings. Key mineral exports include gold, platinum, diamonds, chrome, nickel, coal, and lithium. Mining is also a critical employer in both urban and rural areas, and the sector is expected to be central to achieving Zimbabwe's Vision 2030, which targets upper middle-income status.

However, Zimbabwe has long struggled with mineral leakages, particularly in gold and diamond exports. A recent report by the Southern Africa Resource Watch (SARW) warned that remote airstrips in the country are being exploited by smugglers to export precious minerals without detection. The lack of modern radar and surveillance systems has made it difficult to monitor these airstrips effectively, with the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) relying mostly on visual tracking at smaller airports due to cost constraints.

To improve aviation surveillance, CAAZ last year commissioned a new Air Traffic Control Communications System at eight airports nationwide. While this has enhanced ground-to-air communication, smaller private aircraft operating from bush airstrips remain a significant concern. The SARW report noted that smuggling via private jets allows criminals to evade customs checks and transport valuable minerals out of the country undetected.

Experts estimate that Zimbabwe's actual gold production may be significantly higher than reported, with much of the difference lost to smuggling. Some analysts believe the real output could be more than double the official figures.

In a bid to further strengthen accountability, MMCZ is finalising the rollout of a whistleblowing facility to encourage public reporting of corruption and mineral theft. Dr Moyo emphasised that mineral resources belong to all Zimbabweans and must be exported at fair market value and appropriately taxed to ensure maximum benefit to the nation.

The Government has in recent years introduced a range of policy reforms and investor incentives, including tax breaks and special economic zones, aimed at boosting mining sector investment. With drone surveillance and enhanced public reporting mechanisms, MMCZ hopes to plug the revenue leakages and reinforce the foundations of the country's economic recovery.
- The Herald

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