Transforming Zimbabwe's Mining Sector: The Role of Digitalization in Enhancing Efficiency and Safety: Systematic Literature Review

ABSTRACT: Zimbabwe's mining industry plays a crucial role in the national economy, significantly contributing to the gross domestic product (GDP) and employment. Amidst the challenges faced by the industry, including environmental concerns, outdated operational practices, and safety concerns resulting in injuries and loss of lives, digital technologies offer a transformative opportunity to address these issues. This systematic literature review investigates the transformative impact of digitalization on improving operational efficiency and safety within Zimbabwe's mining sector in alignment with the Vision 2030 smart mining agenda. Search engines and databases such as JSTOR, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirectwere used to gather data for this study. This review synthesizes existing research, identifying key trends, benefits, and barriers to digital adoption within Zimbabwe’s mining sector. Results show that integrating cutting-edge technology such as automation, data analytics, real-time monitoring systems, and communication technologies into Zimbabwe’s mining sector enhances operational efficiency and safety, resulting in substantial growth and output.