By A Correspondent|Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi on Friday toured exhibition stands at the 29th Mine Entra Conference and Exhibition in Bulawayo, where government officials showcased developments and investment opportunities in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

The high-profile visit was presented as a sign of government commitment towards growing the mining industry, but critics argue that such engagements have become symbolic while many mining communities continue to see limited benefits from the country’s vast mineral resources.

Zimbabwe is endowed with significant deposits of gold, lithium, platinum group metals and other valuable minerals, yet communities located near mining operations continue to face challenges including poor infrastructure, limited access to essential services, unemployment and environmental concerns.

Observers say repeated government promises that mining will become a key driver of economic transformation have not fully translated into improved livelihoods for ordinary citizens.

While Mine Entra provides a platform for investors, companies and industry players to engage, critics argue that more focus should be placed on transparency, accountability and ensuring that mineral wealth contributes directly to national development.

Questions have also been raised over whether communities affected by mining activities are receiving a fair share of the benefits generated from resource extraction, with calls for stronger policies on corporate responsibility, environmental protection and local empowerment.

Analysts say attracting investors requires more than exhibitions and official tours, warning that long-term growth depends on addressing concerns around policy consistency, infrastructure challenges, governance and confidence in the investment environment.

For many Zimbabweans, the true measure of success in mining will not be the number of conferences held or officials visiting exhibition stands, but whether the sector creates sustainable jobs, improves communities and delivers tangible economic benefits to citizens.