An Analysis of Blockchain Adoption in Zimbabwean Mining Land Title Management (MLTM) Using NVivo

Zimbabwe is home to an expansive ore reserve estimated at 13 million metric tonnes. Despite its long mining history spanning a century, only 580 metric tonnes have been extracted, indicating a massive reservoir of untapped potential [Goosen M (2023) Top 5 minerals produced in Zimbabwe. Energy Capital Power]. However, this potential is hindered by significant challenges, the foremost being the threat of mining land dispossession. This paper seeks to pave a way forward for Zimbabwe's mining sector by highlighting blockchain's transformative potential, provided robust governance supports this transition. The findings underscore that Zimbabwe's manual mining title system is outdated and rife with inefficiencies. The qualitative insights gathered from the diverse interviewees revealed a consensus: the present manual system is susceptible to manipulation, leading to title disputes that hamper operations and dent investor confidence. Furthermore, the pervasive sense of insecurity stemming from potential land dispossession discourages investment and disrupts community relations, exacerbating the challenges within a dynamic sector. Utilising NVivo for analysis, this research delves deep into the challenges inherent in the manual system of mining titles.