Powering the Mine: Can Mining Growth Drive the Zambezi’s Next Energy Investment?

For Zimbabwe’s mining sector, reliable electricity is more than an operational necessity. It could be the key to attracting the next wave of investment in energy infrastructure.

In the latest Let’s Talk Energy podcast, hosted by Energy News Network (ENN) in partnership with The Electricity Hub, Mzi Chizura, Business Improvement Manager at Caledonia Holdings Zimbabwe, discusses how growing mining demand could drive investment in power generation, transmission and regional energy markets ahead of the Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit (Zim-Zam) 2026.

Drawing on Caledonia’s experience at Blanket Mine, which has operated for more than 120 years, Mzi explains why electricity reliability often matters more than cost. Even short power interruptions can result in hours of lost production, while diesel backup can cost several times more than grid electricity.

The conversation explores Caledonia’s evolving energy strategy, combining solar generation, power purchase agreements and investment in a new 132kV grid connection to support expanding operations and long-term competitiveness.

As Zimbabwe’s gold and lithium sectors attract growing investor interest, Mzi argues that mining demand could become a catalyst for new energy infrastructure, provided utilities, independent power producers, financiers and policymakers work more closely together.

Could the next wave of mining investment provide the demand needed to accelerate energy development across the Zambezi region?