BY NATHAN GUMA
ZIMBABWE’S chrome mining sector could gain significant efficiency and safety benefits by adopting lessons from international operations using the Internet of Things (IoT) and other advanced technologies, analysts say.
This comes at a time when several countries are now employing IT in mining for improved safety and production.
Research shows that IoT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can enhance operational efficiency, reduce accidents, and support predictive maintenance, yet Zimbabwe’s sector faces hurdles that have limited full adoption.
Data from the Ministry of Mines also shows that chrome production in Zimbabwe has been fluctuating, peaking in 2014, before recently stabilising, hence the need for innovation.
Lessons from other countries
According to an analysis by IT experts, Aaron Zimba and Golden Mashiri, several other countries have already made inroads into the use of IT in chromium mining, which can enhance safety and monitoring if employed in Zimbabwe.
For instance, at KGHM Polska Miedź in Poland, the automated haulage system reduced human exposure to dangerous tasks, decreased workplace injuries, and improved material transportation efficiency, producing strong financial returns.
Meanwhile, Anglo American’s Mogalakwena mine in South Africa uses IoT-enabled sensors to track equipment performance in real time, with predictive maintenance allowing the mine to anticipate failures before they occur, preventing costly disruptions and extending equipment lifespan.
In Zimbabwe, on the other hand, companies like Mimosa Platinum Mine have demonstrated the safety advantages of technology, with advanced gas detection systems continuously monitoring methane and carbon monoxide.
These send real-time alerts to miners and management if concentrations exceed safety thresholds, which has reportedly reduced exposure-related incidents, illustrating how real-time monitoring can improve worker safety.
According to data, while fatalities have been decreasing over the past years, they can also wholly decrease should early detection models be used in mining.
Experts say these examples offer a blueprint for Zimbabwe’s underground chrome mining, particularly in the country’s Great Dyke region, which holds substantial high-grade chrome deposits.
Unlike surface operations, underground mining produces less disruption but carries heightened risks, including rock collapses, poor ventilation, and exposure to hazardous gases.
“Technology can provide timely and accurate data for risk detection, predictive maintenance, and decision-making,” said an economist analysing mining sector trends.
“If implemented effectively, IoT systems can transform Zimbabwe’s mining operations, making them safer and more productive.”
Barriers
However, adoption in Zimbabwe has faced several challenges lately, with a lack of workforce training and resistance to change hindering implementation, while financial constraints have limited the ability of companies to invest in IoT devices and AI systems.
The analysts note that integrating technology is not only a matter of installing sensors or software but also building organisational capacity.
“Mines need to align technical investments with training programmes and management support,” said Zvimba in the research. “Without these factors, even advanced technologies will fail to produce the desired outcomes.”
“The benefits of adopting IoT and AI extend beyond safety. Real-time monitoring and predictive analytics can optimise resource management, reduce operational downtime, and improve overall productivity.
“For instance, data from sensors can inform scheduling, equipment maintenance, and workflow decisions, allowing operations to run more efficiently.”
Experts also caution that technological adoption must be accompanied by regulatory oversight and environmental safeguards, as sustainable mining practices, combined with technology, can protect workers while ensuring long-term resource management and economic growth.
“Zimbabwe’s mining sector, long critical to the country’s economy, could therefore take cues from global peers to modernise its underground chrome operations,” says Zvimba.
“Automated systems, predictive maintenance, and real-time monitoring have proven effective elsewhere in reducing workplace accidents and operational inefficiencies. The challenge lies in bridging financial, cultural, and training gaps to achieve similar results domestically.”
