GWERU, ZIMBABWE – Shepherd Manamike has been elected President of the Mine Rescue Association of Zimbabwe (MRAZ) at the association’s elective Annual General Meeting held in Gweru, marking a key leadership transition in the country’s mining safety sector.
Manamike takes over from Professor Alfred Chinyere, who has led the association during a period of increased focus on mine safety, emergency preparedness, and coordinated rescue efforts across Zimbabwe’s mining industry.
New Leadership for a Growing Mining Sector
Manamike will lead the MRAZ Working Party for the 2026–2028 term, supported by a team of experienced industry professionals drawn from leading mining institutions.
The newly elected working committee is as follows:
- President: Shepard Manamike (Mimosa Mine)
- Secretariat: D. D. Matyanga (Chamber of Mines)
- National Coordinator: Patrick Hill (Blanket Mine)
- Non-Donning Teams National Coordinator: Charles Ganduri (Zimplats Selous Metallurgical Complex)
- South Zone Coordinator – Donning Teams: Shastry Mandoreba (Valterra Unki Mine)
- West Zone Coordinator – Donning Teams: Shiringinyai Munotengwa (HCCL)
- North Zone Coordinator – Donning Teams: Jonathan Mukono (Zimplats Ngezi Mining Division)
- National Publicity Coordinator: Timothy Mapinde (Mutapa Gold Resources – Jena Mines)
- National Trainer: Michael Ruzvidzo (AA Mines)
A Critical Transition in Mine Rescue Leadership
The election attracted key stakeholders from across Zimbabwe’s mining sector and comes at a time when the need for strong mine rescue systems, safety compliance, and emergency response readiness is becoming increasingly important.
MRAZ plays a central role in coordinating rescue operations, training mine rescue teams, and promoting best practices in handling underground emergencies such as fires, collapses, and hazardous gas incidents.
From Zone Coordinator to President
Manamike’s elevation to the presidency follows his previous role as South Zone Coordinator for Donning Teams in the outgoing 2024–2026 working party. His progression reflects continuity in leadership and deep operational experience within mine rescue structures.
Outgoing Leadership
The outgoing working party (2024–2026) was led by:
- President: Prof. Alfred Chinyere (MGR – Freda Rebecca Mine)
- Secretariat: D. D. Matyanga (Chamber of Mines)
- National Coordinator: Ronald Bhunu (Zimplats Ngezi Mining Division)
- Non-Donning Teams National Coordinator: Charles Ganduri (Zimplats Selous Metallurgical Complex)
- South Zone Coordinator – Donning Teams: Shepard Manamike (Mimosa Mine)
- West Zone Coordinator – Donning Teams: Patrick Hill (Blanket Mine)
- North Zone Coordinator – Donning Teams: Anselm Mapako (MGR – Freda Rebecca)
- National Publicity Coordinator: Emmanuel Chigwa (MGR – Mining Contracts and Projects)
- National Trainer: Michael Ruzvidzo (AA Mines)
Outlook: Raising the Bar on Mine Safety
With Zimbabwe’s mining sector expanding rapidly—particularly in gold, lithium, and platinum—the role of MRAZ is becoming increasingly critical.
As mining activity intensifies, the new leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring that safety systems evolve in line with industry growth.
