Zimbabwe’s largest artisanal and small-scale miners’ representative body, the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF), is set to host a strategic meeting this month to solidify partnerships aimed at achieving a record-breaking 40 tonnes of gold production in 2025. This follows the country’s remarkable gold deliveries of 36.48 tonnes in 2024, setting a solid foundation for future growth.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
ZMF President Ms. Henrietta Rushwaya confirmed the upcoming strategic meeting in an interview with Mining Zimbabwe. She highlighted the federation’s commitment to aligning stakeholders and developing a clear action plan to achieve the ambitious 2025 target.
“We are targeting 40 tonnes in 2025, and we will be convening a strategic meeting this month to chart the way forward,” said Ms. Rushwaya. She noted that the meeting would focus on fostering collaborations between small-scale miners and large-scale operations.
The meeting represents a pivotal moment for ZMF as it reflects on 2024’s successes and prepares the gold mining industry to tackle new challenges and seize opportunities in the coming year.
Ms. Rushwaya emphasized that the federation’s role in 2025 would extend beyond supporting miners, as ZMF seeks to spearhead partnerships across the sector to sustain and grow Zimbabwe’s gold production.
Gold Deliveries on the Rise
Zimbabwe achieved a record 36.48 tonnes of gold deliveries in 2024, a 21.22% increase from approximately 30.7 tonnes in 2023. The small-scale mining sector contributed the lion’s share, delivering 23,745.64 kg, while large-scale miners added 12,741.11 kg, underlining the critical role artisanal miners play in the country’s gold output.
This achievement positions Zimbabwe strongly to reach its 2025 goal of 40 tonnes, though it will require concerted efforts across the mining sector.
Tackling Key Challenges
The upcoming ZMF strategic meeting will focus on addressing pressing challenges within the mining sector, particularly for small-scale miners, who have consistently been the backbone of Zimbabwe’s gold production.
“This meeting will allow us to map out strategies to overcome the challenges faced by our miners, particularly small-scale operators,” said Ms. Rushwaya.
Some of the key issues to be addressed include:
- Foreign currency retention policies
- Access to modern mining equipment
- Formalization of artisanal miners
ZMF is keen on fostering partnerships with both local and international stakeholders to ensure miners have access to the resources needed to scale up production.
The federation will also explore strategies to improve environmental and social governance (ESG) compliance and opportunities to invest in advanced technology to enhance gold extraction and processing efficiency.
A Unified Approach to 2025
The ZMF believes that achieving the 40-tonne target for 2025 is within reach, provided the industry works together. Ms. Rushwaya emphasized the importance of creating a supportive environment for miners and fostering strategic partnerships to exceed the target.
“With the right support and collaboration, we believe we can reach and even surpass the 40-tonne mark in 2025,” she said.
While small-scale miners have consistently outperformed large-scale operations in recent years, the ZMF is committed to ensuring this sector continues to thrive. At the same time, the federation is bringing large-scale players into the fold to ensure a unified and coordinated approach toward the 2025 goal.
A Path to Prosperity
As Zimbabwe builds on its 2024 gold mining successes, ZMF’s strategic initiatives and partnerships are expected to play a pivotal role in driving the industry forward. The federation’s leadership is confident that the gold sector will not only meet its ambitious targets but also continue to serve as a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economic growth.
