- Mines Secretary Wushe scheduled to tour Zimbabwe School of Mines in Bulawayo on June 6, 2026.
- Visit aims to review training programmes and assess alignment with industry needs.
- Government seeks stronger local workforce to support mining growth and value addition.
MINES and Mining Development Permanent Secretary Dr. Thomas Utete Wushe is scheduled to tour the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) in Bulawayo on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The Ministry said the visit is aimed at appreciating the institution’s role in skills development and capacity building. “The tour will provide an opportunity to appreciate the institution’s role in skills development and capacity building for Zimbabwe’s mining sector,” the Ministry noted in its invitation.
ZSM offers diplomas and certificates in Mining Engineering, Geology, Metallurgy, Mine Surveying, and Occupational Safety, and has recently expanded into iron and steel making, gemology, and drone surveying to meet industry demand.
Dr. Wushe, appointed to the Mines Ministry on May 1, 2026, previously served as Permanent Secretary for Industry and Commerce. He brings over 30 years of leadership experience in industrial development, policy reform, and resource mobilisation.
His visit comes as Zimbabwe’s mining sector faces both growth opportunities and challenges. The government projects 5.9% sector growth in 2026, driven by gold and chrome, but warns of risks from power shortages, policy delays, and illicit mineral flows.
The tour will allow Dr. Wushe to inspect facilities, interact with students and staff, and assess how ZSM aligns its curriculum with new technologies such as automation, AI geological modelling, and environmentally sustainable mining practices.
Mining remains central to Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing over 60% of export earnings. The government’s TVET policy seeks to harmonise technical education with industrialisation goals, positioning institutions like ZSM as key drivers of workforce development.
