STATUS OF MINERAL EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN
ZIMBABWE
BY
ERNEST.T. MUGANDANI
ZIMBABWE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
SAIMM CONFERENCE ,
03 AUGUST 2017
Presentation Outline
INTRODUCTION
MINING IN ZIMBABWE
STATUS OF BASELINE GEOLOGICAL DATA
LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR MINERAL
EXPLORATION
EXPLORATION TITLES AND HISTORICAL TRENDS
EXPLORATION EXPENDITURE AND ACHIEVEMENTS
HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME EXPLORATION AND
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
FUTURE OUTLOOK & CONCLUSION
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
INTRODUCTION
Mining industry currently Zimbabwe’s biggest target
by international investors
Mineral exports account for over 50% of the
country’s foreign exports earnings.
The mining sector employs over 45 000 people
formally and more than 500 000 informally.
Long history of mineral exploration and mining
>40 different minerals are known and have been
mined at one point in time.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
MINING IN ZIMBABWE
Credited for most of present-day infrastructure in
Zimbabwe.
Majority of towns and cities developed in the vicinity
of mining areas e.g Hwange,Kadoma,Kwekwe etc.
Most railway line branches and some major roads were
constructed to serve mining areas.
Many industries arose through mining industry’s
needs.
The mining sector continues to act as a magnet for
investment in Zimbabwe.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
GEOLOGY OF ZIMBABWE
Geology spanning >3000 Ma. Highly conducive for
diversity of minerals.
Divided into three main eras;
1.The Archean
Also known as the Zimbabwe Craton
An Archaean Basement principally composed of
granites and gneisses with remnants of volcano-
sedimentary piles known as Greenstone Belts.
Covers 60% of the country, central in location.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
GEOLOGY OF ZIMBABWE cont
2.The Proterozoic
Marked by the Great Dyke, a NNE-trending intrusion of
mafic-ultramafic layered rocks
Emplaced at the end of the Archean era (2 500 million
years ago)
550km long and 4-11km wide
Cuts across the entire Craton roughly in a N-S direction.
Three Proterozoic Metamorphic/”Mobile” Belts surround
the Craton to the north east, south, and north-west.
The metamorphic belts are rich in economic metamorphic
minerals and host several gemstones, precious and base
metal mines.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
GEOLOGY OF ZIMBABWE cont
3.The Phanerozoic
Consists of several sequences of sedimentary rocks
covering the peripheries of the Craton
Includes Sedimentary basins, the Permian –Triassic
Jurassic Karoo Supergroup, Cretaceous sediments, and
Tertiary to Recent sands of the Kalahari
Post Karoo intrusives; various granitic rocks in the
southern part of the country, alkali ring complexes,
and kimberlites
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
ZIMBABWE GEOLOGICAL MAP
An overview of mineral resource exploration and
development in Zimbabwe
Mineral deposits of Zimbabwe are amongst the best
documented in the region, and a search through the
available literature always forms the first stage in
exploration of any mineral.
Baseline geological, geophysical, geochemical, Remote
sensing data is necessary at this stage.
An overview of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
STATUS OF BASELINE GEOLOGICAL DATA
Geological
Surveys
provide pre-
competitive
geoscientific
information
used by
exploration
companies
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
STATUS OF BASELINE GEOLOGICAL DATA
GEOLOGICAL MAPPING
About 60 - 65%
of the country
has been mapped
in detail.
Each block has been
mapped at a scale of
1:50 000 but maps
published at
1:100 000
accompanied by
a descriptive text
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
STATUS OF BASELINE GEOLOGICAL DATA
GEOCHEMICAL MAPPING
Two Geochemical
mapping levels
National Scale:
Zimbabwe National
Low Density Mapping
Project.
Cover whole country
average sample
density : 1 sample/ 2
000 km2
sample media:
floodplain/overbank
sediment
total sampling sites:
200
chemical analysis: 41
elements;
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
STATUS OF BASELINE GEOLOGICAL DATA
GEOCHEMICAL MAPPING
Regional Scale
Regional Geochemical
Mapping Project in
Chimanimani Area,
Harare and Gweru
Area: 10 400 km2
Mapping scale: 1:250
000
Sampling density: 1
sample/4 km2
Sampling media:
stream sediments
39 elements were
analyzed
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
STATUS OF BASELINE GEOLOGICAL DATA
GEOPHYSICAL MAPPING
Aero-Magnetics
•At height of 305 m
•Line spacing of 1
km
•About 95% of the
country covered
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
An overview of mineral resource exploration and
development in Zimbabwe
STATUS OF BASELINE GEOLOGICAL DATA
• Gravity Survey
SEISMIC LINES
done during Oil
exploration
• rock density
contrasts
•Ground stations
from 1 per km2 to 1
per 100 km2
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR MINERAL EXPLORATION
Large scale exploration carried out under licenses issued by
the Head of State and administered by the Mining Affairs
Board (MAB) as per the provisions of Mines and Minerals
Act (ch.21:05)
Large scale exploration licenses issued under two titles,
depending on the mineral to be explored;
1. Special Grant (SG) for energy minerals which include
Coal, CBM, Natural Gas,Oil and Uranium.
2) Exclusive Prospecting Order (EPO) for all other
minerals including base metals, gold, diamond etc.
Type of license introduced in 1947.
Over 1600 large scale exploration licenses have been issued
to date.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR MINERAL EXPLORATION
Preliminary exploration covering whole country done
at one point or another.
History of exploration dates back to the 19th century.
Over 4000 Mineral deposits known from ancient
workings.
Current exploration activities biased towards
rediscovering ancient workings
Exploration led to discovery of several major mines
some of which are still operating to date, e.g. Zimplats,
Murowa Diamonds, Freda Rebecca, Hwange Colliery
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK FOR MINERAL EXPLORATION
NON SYSTEMATIC EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES
• Exploration in claims which are mining titles – the
results of this exploration which is usually meant for
mine development is normally not reported.
• Special grants in reserved areas – the reporting is also
non systematic in nature.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
STATUS OF EXPLORATION TITLES
EXCLUSIVE PROSPECTING ORDERS (EPOs)
Number current = 0
Number pending applications =34
Number pending approval for renewal =3
SPECIAL GRANTS (Part XX) of MMA
Number current = 18
Number pending applications =35
Number pending approval for renewal =20
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
No. of EPOs
STATUS OF EXPLORATION TITLES
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
HISTORICAL EXPLORATION TRENDS
The past century commencing in 1910 coinciding with the
establishment of the Zimbabwe Geological Survey was
characterized by distinct phases of prospecting interest.
There was a peak activity in the 1960s to early 1970s
reflecting a world trend in increased exploration, notably for
base metals.
The years 1968-75 constituted the nickel boom with
Ni/Cu by far the most popular target over that period in
Zimbabwe.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
HISTORICAL EXPLORATION TRENDS
The decade, coinciding with the first of ten years of the
country’s independence, has had its ups and downs in the
exploration sphere.
There was an initial rush in E.P.O applications and
exploration activities in 1980 and 1981, much of this
work being aimed at re-establishing previously suspended
programmes as a result of insecurity caused by the war of
independence.
All mineral categories were targets, although Coal and
Uranium were topping the list. The falling base mineral
prices in the mid 1980s resulted in drastic drop in activity.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
HISTORICAL EXPLORATION TRENDS
The fall in gold prices in the early 1988, resulted in a
change of emphasis in 1989 with more than ten E.P.O
holders specifically selecting Platinum as a target mineral.
In the early 1990s there was a growing interest in
diamond exploration encouraged by the opening of the
River Ranch diamond mine near Beitbridge.
There was also an interest in gas exploration in Zimbabwe
in the early 1990s with major focus being on Coal Bed
Methane (CBM).
Significant CBM resource has since been established but
development to critical stage of proving the commercial
viability of the gas is still lagging behind.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
HISTORICAL EXPLORATION TRENDS
An important event in the exploration history of the
country was marked by the availability of the Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA) sponsored
aeromagnetic data on Zimbabwe in the 1990s.
The data attracted several exploration companies to
venture into areas that had previously been ignored. This
was especially for the western parts of the country
covered by Kalahari sands.
The data also triggered diamond exploration.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
SYSTEMATIC EXPLORATION EXPENDITURES
YEAR NO. CURRENT EPOS NO. CURRENT SGS TOTAL NO. OF ANNUAL EXPLORATION
BY END OF YEAR BY END OF YEAR EXPLORATION TITLES EXPENDITURE (US$)
2009 2 31 33 107 731+
2010 0 16 16 2 066 172+
2011 0 23 23 19 901 285+
2012 0 27 27 11 850 368+
2013 0 11 11 29 323 969+
2014 4 18 22 1 017 593+
2015 3 21 24 112 182+
2016 3 24 27 46 645+
(August)
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
ACHIEVEMENTS OF EXPLORATION
Work carried out during the tenure of EPOs has over the
years been translated into numerous successful mining
ventures (Next Slide).
Mines brought into production fall into two categories;
(a)those where mineralization was not known prior to the
granting of the order,
(b)and those where it was known to be present, and in
which the order enabled the deposit, and the surrounding
country, to be thoroughly prospected and delimited without
hinderance by speculators.
The success rate for exploration in Zimbabwe was at 3.9%
by 1984 which is quite high by global standards.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
Exclusive Prospecting Order (EPO) no. Mine Opened/Discoveries
85 Perseverance nickel mine,Delcia gold mine
137 Shackleton Copper Mine, Avondale copper
92-3, 97-8 and 113-7 Sandawana Emerald Mine
4,42 and 82 Mhangura and Nora copper mines
3 and 16 Silverside Copper Mine
15 Umkondo Copper Mine
24 and 28 Buchwa Iron ore mine
11 Orpheus iron ore deposit
35 Alaska copper mine
39 Empress nickel Mine
57 Inyala chrome mine
79 Chegutu Limestone deposit
80 Shamrocke copper mine
55,72 and 178 Trojan Nickel Mine
104 and 184 Madziwa nickel Mine
169 and 231 Shamva-Cymric Mine
171 Jannasch gold mine
181 and 195 Gwaai River Copper mine
204 Inyati Copper mine (headlands)
239 Epoch Nickel deposit
233 and 352 Shangani Nickel deposit
22,27,77 and 78 Copper Queen and Copper King mines
13 Lubimbi coalfield
19 Tuli coalfield
50 and 112 Bubye Coalfied
127,128,130,188,189,194,203 and 260 Great Dyke Platinum-nickel-copper
deposits
391 and 406 Zinc mineralization in the eastern portion
of the Zambezi Metamorphic Belt
446 Sengwa Coal deposit (Sengwa coal mine)
578 Kanyemba Uranium Deposit
601 Royal family gold mine
613 Freda Rebecca mine
628 Expansion of golden Kopje gold mine
629 Expansion of Blanket gold mine
654 Platinum resources in the Snakes Head
(Great Dyke)
689 Considerable gold resources in the Dindi
Greenstone belt were discovered.
692 Development One Step gold deposit
721 Maligreen gold mine
745 Development of Peach Tree mine
753 Ipanema and Hungwe gold discoveries
831 Discovery and establishment of the Bubi
Mine Prospect
847 Renco Gold mine
HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME EXPLORATION AND
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Platinum Group Metals (PGMs): The Great Dyke hosts
world’s second largest reserves of PGM after the
Bushveld Igneous Complex of RSA.
2.8 billion tonnes PGM ore @ 4g/t 4e on the Great
Dyke
Two PGM-bearing horizons are the Main Sulphide
Zone (MSZ) and the Lower Sulphide Zone (LSZ)
Current mining is focused on the MSZ while LSZ is still
to be investigated in greater detail.
Potential of other layered igneous complexes not been
explored.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
HIGHLIGHTS OF MAJOR EXPLORATION AND
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Zimplats
Todal
An overview of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME EXPLORATION AND
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
GOLD
> 4 000 recorded gold deposits, nearly all of them located
on ancient workings.
The country remains under-explored to discover deposits
away from these ancient workings.
Other gold deposits occur in the Limpopo mobile Belt in
the south of the country and Proterozoic Piriwiri rocks in
the North western part of the country.
The Umkondo Group - Chimanimani is a new gold
province that requires systematic exploration
Rivers such as Mutare, Angwa and Mazowe also requires
exploration for alluvial gold.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
MINERALS OF ZIMBABWE
PRECIOUS METALS
Areas for
systematic
exploration
An overview of mineral resource exploration and
development in Zimbabwe
HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME EXPLORATION AND
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
DIAMONDS
Diamonds are a gemstone of enormous potential in
Zimbabwe.
Globally economic kimberlites are commonly found in
ancient cratons such as the Kaapvaal,the Siberia and the
Congo cratons.
With similar geology to these areas, the well exposed
Zimbabwe craton presents vast opportunities for
kimberlitic diamond discoveries.
Over 150 kimberlites have been discovered to date whose
economic and commercial viability is yet to be ascertained.
The discovery of a world class placer diamond deposit in
2006 points to significant potential in ancient basins on
the edges of the craton.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
MINERALS OF ZIMBABWE
PRECIOUS STONES
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
MINERALS OF ZIMBABWE
PRECIOUS STONES
An overview of mineral resource exploration and
development in Zimbabwe
HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME EXPLORATION AND
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
NICKEL
The geology of Zimbabwe is highly favourable for
nickel occurrences.
The country’s nickel sulphide endowment includes a
variety of komatiite and mafic intrusion-hosted
deposits.
Other sources of nickel are the huge laterite deposits
on the northern part of the Great Dyke.
Explored deposits include Hunter’s Road
&Perseverance.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
MINERALS OF ZIMBABWE
BASE METALS
An overview of mineral resource exploration and
development in Zimbabwe
HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME EXPLORATION AND
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
COAL
Large in- situ reserves in Lower Karoo of the mid
Zambezi & the Save-Limpopo basins.
Estimated resources of >26 billion tonnes
The Hwange area hosts large reserves of both coking
and thermal coal.
Despite the widespread occurrence, development and
production has so far been confined to Hwange.
There has recently been some small production from
the Tuli and Mkwasine coalfields.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
HIGHLIGHTS OF MAJOR EXPLORATION AND
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT
PROJECTS
Coal Bed Methane :
Potential resource areas have been identified but
commercial viability of the gas is still to be assessed.
Quality of CBM is good. About 95% methane, 4%
Nitrogen and 1% shared by Ethane, Carbon Dioxide
and Oxygen.
CBM resource is estimated at > 20 Trillion Cubic Feet
(TCF).
Pilot Production wells have been drilled and currently
being tested in Lupane.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
HIGHLIGHTS OF SOME EXPLORATION AND DEVELOPMENT
PROJECTS
Coal Bed Methane :
An overview of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
ZIMBABWE’S MINING DEVELOPMENT SITUATION AS OF JULY 2017
Pre- Project Closure
Exploration feasibility
Feasibility
Financing
Development Production
Devuli
Score Range China Africa Sese RHA
Sunlight Zimbabwe
Minerals
Energy Unki Consolidated
Diamond
Monaf Company
Liberation
(>100) (ZCDC)
McShane Mimosa
Investments Sengwa
Zambezi River
Gas Ranch
Apex Verify Zimplats Murowa
ITS
Petroleum Engineering
Architects (>30)
Discovery
Makomo
Investments Resources
Markrock
Mining Steelmakers
Shangani (>20) Garlpex
Chilota
Energy Investments
Exploration Hwange
Colliery
GPR Company
Great Dyke
Katete
Todal
Tuli Coal Mining
Diamonds Coal CBM W REE
PGM
Uranium
FUTURE EXPLORATION OUTLOOK
GRASSROOTS EXPLORATION
Existence of so many known mineral deposits made
exploration in virgin areas unnecessary for a number of
minerals.
Exploration biased at re-discovering old workings.
All known mineral deposits are potential areas for
detailed grassroots exploration in respect of larger
deposits.
We usually find economic mineral deposits in a new
place with old ideas. Sometimes, we find economic
mineral deposits in an old place with a new idea, but we
seldom find much economic mineral deposits in
an old place with an old idea.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
CONCLUSION
Country conducive to discovery of world-class
mineral deposits.
There has been little exploration outside known
deposits
With huge historical data on mineral occurrences,
and usage of modern exploration techniques, the full
potential is still to be realized.
The future of exploration in Zimbabwe is very bright
if we invest in modern ideas of exploration.
Status of mineral resource exploration and development in Zimbabwe
Thank You
