The Government of Zimbabwe has issued a strong vote of confidence in Namib Minerals’ ambitious plan to restart the historic Redwing Mine in Penhalonga, with Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon. Fred Moyo conducting a high-level site visit to assess progress and reaffirm state support for the project.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The visit, which forms part of a nationwide Ministry programme to promote mine restarts, boost gold production and support economic growth, saw the Deputy Minister inspect key infrastructure, including the dewatering system, pumping installations, hoists, the newly commissioned substation and rehabilitation works. He also reviewed areas affected by unauthorised mining and an unlicensed processing plant, underscoring the Government’s commitment to restoring order and formal operations at the site.
Deputy Minister Moyo described Redwing as a “strategically important asset” for both Manicaland Province and the national economy, signalling that the Government will maintain a collaborative oversight approach through regular engagement as the project advances.
Redwing Restart: From Abandonment to Revival
The Redwing Mine, located approximately 20 kilometres northeast of Mutare, has historically produced roughly 650,000 ounces of gold and currently hosts 1.18 million ounces of gold in measured and indicated resources.
The mine was placed under care and maintenance after its previous owner, Metallon Corporation, scaled back operations, leaving the site vulnerable to extensive artisanal mining activity, fatal accidents and lawlessness that came to define its recent legacy.
Namib Minerals, which listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange in New York in June 2025 following a business combination with Hennessy Capital Investment Corp VI, has earmarked between US$300 million and US$400 million to revive Redwing and Mazowe mines while expanding production at its operating How Mine. The company is actively seeking strategic investors to breathe life back into these dormant assets, which were once jewels in Zimbabwe’s gold belt.
During the site visit, Namib Minerals’ Country Managing Director, Tavepi Dafana, outlined the company’s roadmap for the restart. He confirmed that dewatering is restoring safe underground access, a Definitive Feasibility Study is advancing to support the development of a larger mining operation, and an exploration contractor is mobilising to the site this month, signalling the launch of a critical phase of the restart programme.
“Our focus is on delivering a safe, responsible and sustainable restart in partnership with Government and the community,” said Dafana.
Dewatering Progress and Grid Power Connection
The dewatering programme, which commenced on 29 January 2026, has made significant progress. By early July, approximately one million cubic metres of water had been pumped from the underground workings, lowering water levels by nearly 22 metres.
Current combined pumping capacity has been substantially boosted following the successful reconnection of the mine to Zimbabwe’s national electricity grid in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).
The restoration of grid power included the installation of new power lines, a substation and a transformer at the mine.
Four additional submersible pumps have now been connected to the grid, significantly increasing pumping capacity, with pumping rates accelerating to 1,400 cubic metres per hour.
The return of reliable electricity is critical for energy-intensive activities such as dewatering, underground ventilation, ore hoisting and mineral processing and represents a major milestone in the phased restart of the historic gold operation.
Deputy Minister Moyo’s review of areas affected by unauthorised mining and an unlicensed processing plant signals that the Government is aligned with Namib Minerals on the need for coordinated action. The challenge is not whether ASM exists, but how it can be harnessed, organised and made safer to align with national goals. By working with ASM stakeholders, Namib Minerals can not only protect its assets but also foster a new model of mining partnerships where artisanal and large-scale mining complement each other rather than compete.
Community and Economic Benefits
Namib Minerals outlined the project’s expected benefits during the Deputy Minister’s visit, including:
- Increased tax revenues for national and local government
- Local procurement of goods and services, stimulating the Manicaland economy
- Employment opportunities for local communities, with jobs expected to number in the hundreds during the construction and operational phases
The restoration of grid power at Redwing has already delivered wider benefits to the surrounding Penhalonga community, with improved electricity access supporting both mining activities and local development initiatives.
The Deputy Minister’s visit represents more than a routine inspection. It is a diplomatic endorsement of a company stepping up where others have pulled out or stood still.
Namib Minerals is not just reviving dormant gold deposits—it is reclaiming lost ground and reintroducing order where chaos reigned.
The Government’s reaffirmation of support comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s gold sector is enjoying a renaissance, with first-half 2026 deliveries reaching 21.4 tonnes, the strongest performance since the record-breaking year of 2022. The revival of Redwing, alongside other large-scale investments, positions the country to achieve its ambitious 50-tonne annual target for 2026.
Namib Minerals is positioning itself for sustained long-term growth, with a corporate objective of evolving into a multi-asset, mid-tier gold producer targeting eventual output of 300,000 ounces per year. The Redwing restart forms the centrepiece of this strategy, and with Government backing, community engagement and technical progress advancing on schedule, Zimbabwe’s biggest gold restart is already in motion.
