A Guide to Zimbabwe’s Underground mining Lingo (slang)
Miners in Zimbabwe, like many specialized industries, have developed their own unique set of slang and street lingo to describe the equipment and tools used on Mine sites.
by Keith Sungiso
From powerful machinery to small, everyday tools, these often humorous names add a touch of fun to the otherwise tough work environment. Be it in Makonde, Zvishavane, Filabusi or anywhere in Zimbabwe, this lingo helps miners communicate quickly and efficiently in a high-stakes environment where time and precision are critical.
Below is a list of common mining equipment slang used in Zimbabwe. Each term provides a glimpse into the mining industry’s culture, camaraderie, and unique language.
- 5 stamp mill – 5 stampa
- Air leg – nyawo
- Alternator head (Generator) – igwenya
- Ball mill – Chiguru guru/ ChiBholo
- Bush Tuckshop – Chibhon’ashuro
- Buyers – Mabhayera
- Bully and violent gangs – Mabhambadzi
- Catapult/ndandi – Wish
- Comp/genset engine – Gwenya
- Crusher – Pinduka
- Cyanide bucket – Chikanga
- Drill rig – Chinzikunye, Jomboro
- Dust mill – Chimbumu
- Eloping – Kuvhuna
- Empty vat tanks – Kurapura
- Explosives – Masadza
- Extended refining – Selaz
- Feeder – Chinyanganya
- Fill vat tanks – Kudhibhira
- Footwall – Futuhoro
- Gang minions – Zvimbwanana
- Germans – Magerimani
- High sample kit – Njumba
- Hosepipe – Matumbu
- Jack hammer – Njekete
- James Table – Gavha stick
- Junk – Mbara
- Lasher – Maholoha
- Locomotive – Makaranyani / Ngorovhani
- Mill – Mhiro
- Mill remnants – Mashoro
- Mine Sponsor/owner – Murungu
- Mine Shaft – Tonera
- Miner – Gweja
- Money – Musharara
- Money advance/asking for money – Kuhovha
- Not part of the share – Haumo mubhasikiti
- Ore – Kwa small
- Ore reject – Ravhuza
- Pipe for air pressure – Thumbo ye smoko
- Place/Space to Mine – Chikwera
- Pump – Chidhakwa
- Rain suit – Chikweshe
- Redoing – Mareeds
- Rescue pack – Chimpakuri
- Rock tumbler – Chivhu
- Sdc gold detector – Chitititi
- Shaking table – Chivorovo
- Skip – Chikurupati/ Chikepe
- Small stamp mill – Chinjoma
- Silver mercury – Chigidhi
- Sponser/Owner – Murungu
- Take a credit – Kuporora
- The boss – Ziguru
- Tunnel – Chikwera
- Tumbling station – Chivhu Chivhu
- Water pump – Chidhakwa
- Work suit – Perengende/ Chimombe/ Matseee