Lack of Inspection Vehicles, Contributing to Illegal Mining Surge in Zimbabwe
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is grappling with severe resource constraints, with a shortage of inspection vehicles hampering its ability to enforce mining regulations across Zimbabwe, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The issue of the lack of vehicles has been linked to the increase in illegal mining activities and mining accidents.
Speaking during a recent media briefing, Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon. Winston Chitando acknowledged the problem, stating,
“In most provinces, vehicles for inspectors are few.” He added that the Ministry is working to address this challenge.
“There was a lot of effort to address the resources available to the provincial mining offices, and there are additional measures which will be announced next year to ensure that the provincial offices are capacitated to carry out inspections.”
The shortage of vehicles has left mining inspectors unable to monitor both legal and illegal mining activities regularly. This has led to a rise in unregulated operations, which are often hazardous. According to industry experts, the inability of inspectors to visit mining sites frequently has contributed to the increase in mining accidents, particularly in the small-scale and artisanal mining sectors.
Furthermore, the Ministry’s resource challenges extend beyond just a lack of vehicles. The Ministry of Mines received less than 0.4% of the total national budget for 2025, despite the mining sector contributing more than 70% of Zimbabwe’s foreign currency earnings. This discrepancy has limited the Ministry’s capacity to regulate the industry effectively, including conducting necessary safety inspections and enforcing environmental standards.
The lack of inspection vehicles is seen as one of the key reasons illegal mining continues to thrive. Without regular site visits, mining inspectors cannot ensure compliance with safety regulations, leaving many operations unmonitored. Illegal miners often operate in dangerous conditions, which frequently results in accidents. Over 100 fatalities were reported in 2023 alone due to unsafe mining practices.
This shortage of vehicles is also believed to contribute to the frequency of accidents in legal mining operations. Many registered mining companies are left unchecked, allowing unsafe practices to persist. The lack of oversight has resulted in several major accidents, including mine collapses and equipment malfunctions.
Despite these challenges, Chitando expressed optimism about future improvements.
“There is a need to increase the level of inspections, and the government is committed to ensuring that it happens,” he said.
With the budget currently under debate in Parliament, there is hope that increased funding will be allocated to provincial mining offices to enhance their inspection capabilities.
As Zimbabwe navigates through the rainy season, the risks of accidents in both legal and illegal mining operations are expected to rise. Mining experts stress that immediate action is required to provide inspectors with the resources they need to ensure safety and regulatory compliance across the industry.