The The Adequacy of Human Capital for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era in the Mining Industry in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This paper examined the adequacy of human capital in the fourth industrial era. This has been prompted by the fact that human capital has been regarded as the key driver of value creation, financial performance, and sustainability. However, concerns have been raised regarding the adequacy of the phenomenon under study,  particularly in emerging economies such as Zimbabwe.  This paper adopted a qualitative critical literature review approach and thematic analysis was utilized for data analysis and interpretation until a point of saturation was reached. The findings revealed that the adoption of industry 4.0 technologies in the Zimbabwean mining industry was still in its infancy and there was limited investment in human capital development. The study also highlighted several challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, limited access to funding, and a shortage of skilled labor.  The study recommended that policymakers should prioritize investment in human capital development, including upskilling and reskilling programs, to ensure that the mining industry is well-positioned to take advantage of the opportunities presented by Industry 4.0.