Green Governance Zimbabwe has welcomed government’s decision to allocate ZiG 103.7 million (about US$4 million) in the 2026 National Budget towards completion of the Computerised Mining Cadastre System, describing the move as a critical step towards improving transparency and governance in the mining sector.

In a press statement, GGZ said the CMCS is designed to publicly disclose key information on mining claims, including size, location, ownership, licence validity periods, overlapping titles, compliance history and spatial data showing where mining activities occur.

“This type of information is essential for strengthening transparency, preventing double allocations, reducing disputes and ensuring that the country’s mineral wealth is managed in a way that benefits citizens and supports long-term sector sustainability,” GGZ said.

According to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, the CMCS is 90 percent complete, with commissioning expected in the first quarter of 2026. However, GGZ cautioned that successful implementation will require more than digital infrastructure alone.

The organisation said communities, local authorities and small-scale miners must be fully engaged and informed, urging government to allocate specific resources for community consultations and public awareness as part of the system’s roll-out.

“The public needs to understand how the system works, what information will be available and how citizens can use the platform to protect their land rights and hold operators accountable,” GGZ said.

The Ministry has reported several milestones, including spatial data validation, procurement of equipment and installation of high-power internet connectivity across all mining provinces. Despite this progress, GGZ noted that operational challenges persist.

“Inadequate vehicles, limited inspection tools and insufficient personnel capacity continue to undermine compliance monitoring and revenue collection,” the organisation said, warning that without addressing these gaps, the CMCS alone cannot deliver the transparency and accountability it promises.

GGZ said an effective and accessible cadastre system would reduce disputes between miners, improve safety by clearly identifying legal operators and boundaries, and curb illegal mining that threatens communities and the environment.

Transparent mining title information would also help communities understand who is operating in their areas and the obligations companies must meet in relation to safety, environmental protection and social responsibility, the organisation added.

The group further noted that transparent management of mining titles would strengthen revenue mobilisation through accurate licence fees, royalties and compliance penalties, while improving investor confidence.

“Investors are more likely to commit capital when licensing processes are predictable, publicly accessible and protected from corruption,” GGZ said, adding that the CMCS aligns with broader economic reforms under the NDS1/NDS2 development frameworks.

GGZ urged Treasury and Parliament to complement the CMCS allocation with a ring-fenced operational budget covering mobility, training, compliance audits and structured community consultations.

“Only through consistent and adequate funding can the Ministry fully operationalise the system and strengthen public trust in the management of Zimbabwe’s mineral resources,” the organisation said.

GGZ reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote transparency, accountability and inclusive development in the extractives sector, saying Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth should translate into improved livelihoods and national transformation.