Zimbabwe's Platinum Riches: Billions Generated, But Communities Left Behind

Zimbabwe's platinum industry is generating billions of dollars, yet residents in mining communities report that essential services like roads, schools, and water have not kept pace with the wealth extracted from beneath their land. Platinum prices reached an unprecedented high of $2,923 per ounce on January 26, fueled by a broader precious metals rally and ongoing concerns about platinum supply, according to the World Platinum Investment Council. As the country with the world's second-largest known deposits of platinum group metals (PGMs) after South Africa, this price surge presents a significant opportunity for Zimbabwe to boost revenue from a sector crucial to its economy. The mining sector contributes approximately 75 percent of the nation's exports and around 14.5 percent of its gross domestic product, as per the International Trade Administration in the United States. In 2025, the mining sector recorded a record $8.5 billion in export earnings, an increase from $5.9 billion the previous year, driven by strong output and favorable prices, particularly for gold and PGMs, according to John Musekiwa, the former president of the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe. However, in communities surrounding major platinum operations, residents express that the wealth extracted has not resulted in adequate infrastructure and basic services. This disparity is evident in Mhondoro-Ngezi, a key platinum-producing area in Zimbabwe.

A Rich Mineral Belt, Struggling Communities

The Great Dyke, a geological formation spanning central Zimbabwe, holds substantial PGM deposits. Zimplats operates mines, concentrators, and processing facilities within the Mhondoro-Ngezi district. While modern facilities process ore and heavy trucks transport materials within the mining complex, residents in nearby villages such as Turf, Mamina, Murambwa, and others state that infrastructure development has lagged behind the area's growth. Ernest Denhere, headman of Denhere village in Ward 3, urged mining companies to establish a lasting positive impact in their host communities. He called on Zimplats and other mines to construct a road connecting Kadoma/Kwekwe to Turf, Benhura, Mamina, Murambwa, and Kadhani, linking to the Harare-Masvingo highways. Ward 3 Councillor Emmah Chikwai highlighted the long distances children travel to attend secondary school, with some walking between 15km and 25km to reach Musinambi Secondary School. She appealed for the mines to support the establishment of a satellite secondary school in Makwavarara.

Schools, Water, and Livelihoods Under Pressure

During a visit on September 7, Al Jazeera observed students at Turf Primary School learning outdoors due to strained facilities caused by rising enrollment. Nearby, women and young men were seen sifting through waste for plastic to sell, with livestock grazing among the rubbish. Sakina Lice, a resident, explained that collecting plastic is her sole source of income, providing approximately $20 a month to support her large family. She expressed a desire for the mine to empower women through projects. Residents also voiced concerns about the Ngwazani River, located about 100 metres from the dump site, alleging that sewage from the mining area contaminates the waterway, impacting its use for household needs and gardens. Edson Mabure, whose family was relocated due to mining expansion, stated that the river has become a problem for his new community. He noted that since the mine began operations, there has been no tangible legacy left for the community, and he is uncertain whether responsibility lies with the council or Zimplats. Agnes Handidikundiona, another resident, shared that the river, once a source of water for domestic use and gardens, is now polluted. She added that flooding of the river sometimes prevents children from attending school, and a footbridge is needed. Ward 11 Councillor Nhomboka Kurebwa Javangwe mentioned that the influx of mine workers and their families has increased the local population, straining available facilities despite Zimplats's construction of classrooms and houses. He called for the company to build and operate a primary school and noted that local councillors have limited direct access to the company, with only the council chairperson authorized to meet Zimplats officials.

Mines Point to Community Investment

Similar concerns are being raised in other platinum-producing regions. In Shurugwi, home to the Unki Platinum Mine, residents have requested increased investment in local infrastructure. Bulle Madzitire, chairman of the Shurugwi Residents Association, urged Unki to assist with classroom blocks, water and sanitation, and roads in Shurugwi town. In Zvishavane, Kamino Simango, chairman of the Zvishavane Residents Association, suggested that the Mimosa Platinum Mine should prioritize infrastructure benefiting the broader community. Unki reported investing an average of $1.5 million annually in community development over the past five years, covering education, healthcare, water and sanitation, agriculture, and infrastructure. Its public relations manager, Evelyn Mawimba, stated that the mine has constructed 63 boreholes, supported 32 schools through its STEP-UP program, and contributed $2.75 million towards land purchases and the development of the Impali housing estate. Unki also pays approximately $130,000 annually in municipal levies to the Shurugwi Town Council and contributes about $850,000 annually to the Tongogara Rural District Council. Mimosa did not respond to inquiries from Al Jazeera. The chairperson of the Mhondoro-Ngezi Rural District Council, Alderman Ephraim Pepukai Chengeta, promised to provide information regarding Zimplats’s contributions and development plans but did not respond to follow-up attempts. The council's chief executive officer, Itai A Mawonde, requested questions in writing. Zimplats’s head of corporate affairs, Hama Saburi, also indicated he would respond but had not done so by the time of publication. For residents of Zimbabwe’s platinum belt, the demands are clear: improved roads, schools, water, and other services in communities situated alongside some of the nation's most valuable mines. As Ernest Denhere stated, "What is beneath our land speaks volumes. We need to see a lasting legacy for our communities."