It is located in the Mazowe Valley about 88 km north-east of Harare.

Bindura Nickel, now called Trojan Nickel Mine, a subsidiary of Mwana Africa plc, mines nickel, copper and cobalt in the area and operates a smelter refinery just south of the town.

Cotton and maize are grown intensely in the region.

The perennial Mazowe River flows around Bindura and through its north-eastern perimeter.

Bindura is probably an Anglicised version of the Shona phrase, pindura mhuka, meaning "turn the game".