Access to finance for small-scale miners dominated discussions at MINEX 2026, with the Young Miners Foundation (YMF) describing the platform as a breakthrough moment for unlocking capital into the sector, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Ryan Chigoche
For years, access to bank funding has remained a major constraint for artisanal and small-scale miners, largely due to the sector’s informal structure, high-risk profile, and lack of tailored financial products.
Many commercial banks have traditionally been reluctant to lend to miners, often citing the absence of specialised mining desks and limited understanding of the industry’s operational cycles, leaving most operators reliant on informal financing or self-funding.
Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe, YMF Chief Executive Officer Payne Kupfuwa said the conference provided rare, direct engagement with financial institutions, offering clarity on funding pathways that have long remained out of reach for many miners.
“The MINEX 2026 was an eye-opener for us as the Young Miners Foundation family because one of the key issues that always affects us in production are issues to do with funding of our mining projects. Issues around financing and funding were discussed because there were quite a number of financial institutions that were exhibiting and participating in the discussions at MINEX 2026, giving us hope and enlightenment on how best we can actually access funding from their institutions, and they showed great willingness to support young miners and small-scale miners in terms of funding to boost efficiency,” he said.
The strong participation of lenders and financiers at the event marks a shift in engagement with small-scale miners, a segment that has historically struggled to secure formal funding despite its growing contribution to mineral output.
Beyond funding, the conference also focused on broader sector development issues.
The Deputy Mines Minister, who was the Guest of Honour, Fred Moyo, emphasised the need for formalisation, including the creation of a structured database of miners to improve access to financing facilities being developed in partnership with Fidelity Gold Refinery.
MINEX 2026 brought together a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including academic institutions such as the Zimbabwe School of Mines, financial institutions, consultants, insurers, and legal firms, creating a comprehensive platform for collaboration across the mining value chain.
Discussions also covered safety, health, and environmental compliance, as well as emerging trends such as artificial intelligence in mining and new opportunities in hydrogen exploration.
The event further provided networking opportunities for young miners to engage directly with industry players, with YMF indicating that connections made during the conference are already being leveraged to improve project development and long-term sustainability.
