Zimbabwean Minerals - Past, Present and Potential Production

Zimbabwe has a highly diversified mineral resource base dominated by two prominent geological features - the Great Dyke and the ancient Greenstone Belts. Zimbabwe's rich mineral diversity is due to the rock ages that span most of the Earth's geological record. Despite its well-established mining history, with over 60 known mineral occurrences, the country has been under-explored with modern exploration techniques and there is immense potential for further discoveries. This report was compiled from public on-line sources and serves to highlight the mineral potential of Zimbabwe by studying its mining historical records and detailing some of its current mining activities, thus giving an indication of its future potential as an attractive mining destination. The case for mineral beneficiation is also briefly investigated. This should serve as a useful preliminary guide to the mineral potential of Zimbabwe for international mining investors and their agents.

Autorentext

Solomon Gumbie was born in Zimbabwe and holds a B.Sc. in Geology from Rhodes University and an M.Sc. in Exploration Geophysics from the University of Zimbabwe. He has worked in the mining industry as a geologist in exploration, mining and consultancy and this work was for an M.B.A. degree with MANCOSA. He currently resides in South Africa.