The Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) has declared its intention to take artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) training to every province and district in the country, as it celebrated the graduation of 300 miners, nearly half of them women, from a pioneering 32-hour intensive programme at Elvington Mine.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at Magandi Park on 30 April 2026 in Chegutu, ZSM Principal Edwin Gwaze hailed the event as “a defining moment, not just for the 300 individuals who graduated, but for the very future of Zimbabwe’s mining industry.”
Gwaze reminded the audience that the Zimbabwe School of Mines was founded with a clear mandate: “to consider the means of affording technical education and practical training for those who wished to enter the mining sector.”
For a century, that mandate was fulfilled primarily from the main campus in Bulawayo. But today, he said, the school stands “on the threshold of a new era” by bringing responsible mining training directly to mine operations.
“We are operationalising the vision of a nationwide training school. We are saying that knowledge should not be restricted to those who can travel to our campus. It must be a tool available for every Zimbabwean who dares to dig for the prosperity of our nation.”
The 300 graduates completed 32 intensive hours of training, delivered over three weeks in partnership with Mutapa Gold Resources, covering:
• Small-scale mining methods
• Occupational safety and health
• Return on investment calculations and operational finance
• Optimisation of transportation routes and logistics
“You have confronted the harsh realities of occupational safety and health,” Gwaze told the graduates. “You now hold a certificate that is more than just a piece of paper. It is a passport to formality. It is your credential to move from being a worker to being an entrepreneur, a leader, and a steward of our mining environment.”
In a striking demonstration of inclusion, 148 women were among the graduating class, nearly half of the cohort.
“For too long, the narrative of mining has excluded the voices and talents of our mothers and daughters. Today, we rewrite that narrative,” Gwaze said.
“You have proven that the grit and determination required to succeed in this industry are not bound by gender. You are the pioneers who will ensure that the wealth of Chegutu benefits the whole community, starting from the household level.”
Why this matters: ASM’s record-breaking role
Gwaze provided the national context: artisanal and small-scale miners drove a record-breaking year in 2025, delivering 34.9 tonnes of gold to Fidelity Gold Refinery, approximately 75% of the country’s total gold output of 46.7 tonnes.
“Despite this economic importance, the sub-sector has historically been characterised by informality, hazardous working conditions, and significant technical inefficiencies,” he noted.
The National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), covering 2026 to 2030, identifies the professionalisation of the ASM sector as a core priority for achieving Vision 2030.
“The transition of miners from informal, subsistence-based activities into structured, safe, and commercially viable micro enterprises is essential,” Gwaze said.
The Principal specifically thanked Mutapa Gold Resources for sponsoring the programme.
“This would not have been possible without the sponsorship of Mutapa Gold Resources. We thank you for recognising that the sustainability of your operations at Elvington Mine is inextricably linked to the skills and safety of the small-scale miners who surround you.”
He described the initiative as “corporate social responsibility at its most impactful, investing in the very people who form the backbone of the industry.”
“As we look towards 2030, our goal is to duplicate this model in every province and every district in Zimbabwe. The graduation of 300 miners at Elvington is not the end of the journey, but hopefully the beginning of a new phase of engagement.”
He endorsed the Minister of Mines’ proposal for mining training to occur in every province, providing the technical and training oversight that prevents tragedies and promotes productivity.
