Nasdaq-listed mining company Namib Minerals has announced a significant step forward in the resurgence of its Zimbabwean operations, confirming that dewatering activities have officially commenced at the Redwing Mine, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The process began on January 29, 2026, aligning precisely with the work plan outlined in the company’s November 2025 business update.
The dewatering phase is a critical enabling step in the company’s broader restart project. By removing water from the mine, Namib Minerals will gain essential access to conduct feasibility studies, assess underground conditions, and complete detailed engineering evaluations. These assessments will inform the next stages of the mine’s redevelopment.
Ibrahima Sory Tall, Chief Executive Officer of Namib Minerals, emphasised the strategic importance of the milestone.
“Dewatering at Redwing is progressing as planned and represents an important milestone in the restart process,” Tall said. “We are focused on building Namib Minerals into a mid-tier gold producer, targeting meaningful reserve growth, with Redwing’s future restart representing an important step toward that goal.”
The progress at Redwing is a cornerstone of a much larger US$300 million investment earmarked by the Nasdaq-listed miner to restore and expand its footprint in Zimbabwe. This capital injection is targeting the revival of not only Redwing but also Mazowe and the expansion of How Mine, signalling a major vote of confidence in the country’s gold sector.
This ambitious plan is backed by a hands-on approach to stakeholder engagement. Tall recently toured the Mazowe, Redwing, and How Mine sites to oversee preliminary redevelopment work. During the visit, he underscored the company’s commitment to aligning with national ambitions.
“By implementing our strategy, we will be developing world-class assets that directly support the Government of Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, while also generating lasting value for our stakeholders,” Tall noted.
Navigating the Artisanal Mining Landscape
A crucial component of the investment’s success lies in how Namib Minerals manages its relationship with local communities and the pervasive artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector operating around its concessions. For years, mines like Mazowe and Redwing have been focal points for artisanal miners, a reality that presents both challenges and opportunities.
While ASM remains the backbone of Zimbabwe’s gold deliveries to Fidelity Gold Refinery, unregulated activity brings safety risks, environmental damage, and operational hurdles for large-scale miners.
Namib Minerals has signalled that its path forward relies on sustainable engagement rather than confrontation. The company’s strategy appears focused on fostering coexistence, with potential pathways for artisanal miners to transition into more formalised operations through tribute agreements, processing partnerships, or structured collaboration involving government and traditional leaders.
By integrating ASM stakeholders into the value chain, Namib Minerals aims to protect its assets while transforming competition into a complementary partnership. This approach ensures that the US$300 million investment—focused on production expansion, environmental rehabilitation, and exploration—delivers broad national benefits.
As dewatering at Redwing paves the way for a return to formal production, Namib Minerals is positioning itself to set a new benchmark in Zimbabwe’s mining sector: proving that world-class assets and inclusive, responsible mining can go hand in hand.
