Concerns have emerged surrounding the functionality of Zambia’s newly adopted mining licence cadastre system.
The Zambia Integrated Mining Information System (ZIMIS)—envisioned to streamline applications, improve transparency, and fast-track mining rights—has reportedly suffered technical disruptions, leaving users unable to perform basic licence tasks.
Launched in February 2025 by the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, ZIMIS was intended to replace Zambia’s legacy cadastre and accelerate the issuance of mining rights, supporting the nation’s ambition to hit 3.1 million tonnes of annual copper production by 2031.
It was also expected to reinforce ongoing compliance efforts—following the repossession of over 1 000 non-compliant licences in 2024, which are to be reallocated to spark exploration.
However, within weeks of launch, the Ministry issued a March 17 press release confirming that ZIMIS had suffered technical challenges post–user acceptance testing. A joint troubleshooting team composed of system administrators and select licensees has been formed to resolve the issues.
A Key Obstacle: Registration Bottlenecks
One notable snag involves the user registration and authorisation process. The Ministry mandated that individuals and corporate entities assign a Power of Attorney to authorised representatives responsible for licence management. This requirement, intended to reinforce accountability, has instead complicated user onboarding, delaying access to essential cadastre tools.
Affected stakeholders report being unable to complete tasks such as licence applications, payments of area charges, or submission of statutory reports via the Zamportal. In response, the Ministry has temporarily reinstated manual alternatives: fees can be paid directly into the Government’s Revenue Transit Account, with physical proof of payment submitted for receipts. Likewise, statutory documentation can still be filed in hard copy.
Critically, the Ministry reassured licence‐holders that no licences will be suspended or revoked during this system transition. Existing licences remain valid under the previous “Trimble Land Folio System”.
Broader Ambitions, Persistent Hurdles
ZIMIS forms part of broader efforts initiated as early as mid-2024, with projections targeting full migration by June 2025. The roll-out aimed to reduce wait times that once created backlogs; previously, the Cadastre office grappled with delays due to system restructuring.
Despite these strategic intentions, stakeholders caution that technical disruptions could overshadow the reforms’ objectives: boosting transparency, curbing licence hoarding, eliminating red tape, and accelerating mining sector growth. These efforts are closely tied to the government’s push to unlock unused licences and better enforce usage limits—reportedly capping entities at five licences unless evidence of active operations is provided.
Next Steps and Sector Outlook
Meanwhile, the Ministry’s troubleshooting team is working to restore ZIMIS’s functionality to live settings. It has also established a formal help desk and feedback channel via email and hotline to resolve access and payment issues.
According to the press release, once technical kinks are ironed out, the online cadastre will fully support end-to-end processes for licence applications, renewals, payments, and statutory reporting—an outcome that would mark a significant leap forward in Zambia’s mining governance.
However, until ZIMIS is stable and user‑friendly, the Ministry risks eroding investor and miner confidence. With the success of Zambia’s mining reform agenda hinging on technological integrity, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this digital pivot delivers or proves disruptive.
