Source-first
Records retain source organisation, source type and links where available. A current corporate source is not silently treated the same as a decades-old historical occurrence record.
Methodology & trust
Useful intelligence should show its evidence and its limits.
ZimMineral Atlas is designed to preserve provenance rather than flatten every source into one false certainty. Current company records, historical geological occurrences, curated intelligence and reported information are deliberately treated differently.
Confidence is explicit
Verified, Documented and Indicative labels communicate evidence strength. Reported, disputed and conflicting evidence should remain visible rather than being forced into false agreement.
Precision is separate from certainty
A record can be well documented but only regionally geolocated. Site, district and regional precision labels prevent a reference point being mistaken for a legal claim boundary.
Current vs historical
USGS MRDS and historical geology are valuable evidence, but they are not treated as proof of current ownership or operating status. Current relationships need current sources.
Conflicts should surface
Where credible sources disagree, Atlas should show the conflict, the source dates and the review state rather than silently choosing whichever answer looks cleaner.
Sensitive intelligence is protected
Unverified or sensitive intelligence should not expose exact coordinates automatically. Public display can be generalised until evidence and safety considerations support greater precision.
What ZimMineral is not.
Institutional credibility depends on being clear about scope. The Atlas is an independent intelligence and discovery layer, not an official title or transaction system.
ZimMineral Atlas is not the Zimbabwe Mining Cadastre, proof of mineral title, a substitute for geological due diligence, legal advice or investment advice. Critical decisions should be verified against authoritative regulatory, technical and legal sources.