Circular economy and waste management in Zimbabwe: a case for the Mining sector

Author

Chinhanguza, Chiedza

Title

Circular economy and waste management in Zimbabwe: a case for the Mining sector

Abstract

The broad aim of the study was to explore the benefits of adopting circular economy in waste management in the mining sector for Zimbabwe. Premised on three objectives, this qualitative study used a systematic review of literature resulting in four thematic areas of analysis. These are; significance of mining sector to the economy of Zimbabwe, barriers to circularity, drivers of circularity in waste management for the mining sector as well as policies to enhance circularity. In the findings, major barriers identified include; technology constraints, weak role of government as well as lack of collaboration in the circular economy ecosystem. The study argues that attaining the USD 12 billion target by the Government of Zimbabwe is a target which is possible, accordingly circular economy can contribute a long way to this aspiration. Major policy implications identified in the study underscore the significance of the role of government, capacity building of lobby groups such as Chamber of Mines, reduction of cost of doing business across the economy and others. The study also avows that the entry point for circularity of waste management in Zimbabwe’s mining sector should put strong emphasis on initiatives such as recycling, reuse, and regeneration. This is so since major mining concerns in the country have made some progress towards this direction

Date

May 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Circular Economy

Mining

Waste management

Supervisor

Dr. V. Dudu