THE Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) has recorded 18 cases of suspected smuggling and irregular mineral movement between January and 20 August 2026, as strengthened Mineral Resource Accounting controls tighten scrutiny from mine to border. Minerals smuggling in Zimbabwe remains an economic crisis, with the country estimated to lose up to US$15 billion annually […] The post MMCZ exposes 18 cases of minerals smuggling appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com .
THE Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) has recorded 18 cases of suspected smuggling and irregular mineral movement between January and 20 August 2026, as strengthened Mineral Resource Accounting controls tighten scrutiny from mine to border.
Minerals smuggling in Zimbabwe remains an economic crisis, with the country estimated to lose up to US$15 billion annually through illicit financial flows (IFFs).
Gold and strategic green-energy minerals like lithium are the primary targets of sophisticated syndicates. Smuggling volumes frequently eclipse the State’s total official economic targets for the entire mining sector. An estimated 34 tonnes of gold are smuggled into South Africa alone each year.
In an update Friday, MMCZ General Manager Nomusa Jane Moyo, said the cases involve 2,654.88 tonnes of mineral material and metal scrap, with lithium, chrome and silica dominating the case register.
This includes a 1,500-tonne chrome concentrate stockpile in Darwendale that was embargoed while investigations continued. The remaining recorded cases account for 1,154.88 tonnes.
“The nature of offenses included movement without valid documentation, misuse or falsification of export papers, cargo misdeclaration and attempted movement of unbeneficiated mineral ore,” Moyo said in the corporation’s maiden Mineral Resource Accounting and Surveillance Market Update.
Critical minerals have been a particular focus of surveillance in line with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development’s broader policy thrust on beneficiation and tighter control of unbeneficiated mineral exports.
She noted that most of the cases were recorded at border points, a reflection of MMCZ’ s strengthened enforcement capability, compared with the previous model, where the corporation had no permanent Mineral Resource Accounting Inspectorate presence at border posts.
Inspectors verify mineral movements, inspect cargo and collect samples where technical confirmation is required.
The post MMCZ exposes 18 cases of minerals smuggling appeared first on NewZimbabwe.com.
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