US$14 million drilling campaign delineates 5.7 million tonnes grading 1.74g/t, targeting a 10-year mine life
Mutapa Gold Resources-owned Freda Rebecca Gold Mine in Bindura has nearly doubled its exploration programme to 80,000 metres this year, investing US$14 million in an aggressive drilling campaign aimed at securing a resource base that will sustain production once Shamva Mine ceases trucking ore to its plant, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The exploration push, which has already delineated a down-dip resource of 5.7 million tonnes grading approximately 1.74 grammes per tonne, is designed to extend the mine’s life from its current four-year horizon to at least 10 years.
“We have already commissioned a very aggressive exploration campaign,” said Alfred Chinyere, General Manager of Freda Rebecca, in an interview with Mining Zimbabwe. “Initially, our target this year was to do 35,000 metres. We have since almost doubled that to 80,000 metres.”
The new resource identified sits at grades around 1.74g/t, with contained gold estimated at approximately 319,000 ounces. Freda’s head grades have shown consistent improvement over recent years, rising from 1.46g/t in FY2023 to 1.55g/t in FY2025.
Preparing for the Capacity Shift
Freda Rebecca currently processes its own ore alongside Shamva’s output through its 2.8 million-tonne-per-annum plant. Once the US$152 million Shamva Hill Project comes online, Shamva will process its ore independently, freeing approximately 50,000 tonnes of monthly processing capacity at Freda’s plant.
The freed capacity presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Chinyere confirmed the mine is already preparing to fill the gap left by Shamva’s approximately 50,000 tonnes per month contribution.
“When Shamva pulls out its contribution, we should be able to generate that kind of resource where we can feed 50,000 tonnes every month comfortably,” he said.
Operating Context
Freda Rebecca currently averages 204 kilograms of gold per month, with C1 cash costs of around US$1,400 per ounce. The mine produced 2.2 tonnes of gold in 2025, contributing about 70% of Mutapa Gold Resources’ total output.
At current gold prices of around US$4,000 per ounce, Chinyere said the operation is comfortably funding its stay-in-business capital while investing in the new US$1.2 million laboratory and aggressive exploration programme.
De-risking the Portfolio
Chinyere acknowledged that Freda’s outsized role in Mutapa’s portfolio presents a concentration risk. However, he views Shamva’s expansion as a critical de-risking step.
“Having one business unit carrying the biggest load presents a risk. But with Shamva brought to around 200kg per month, that will automatically de-risk the business.”
Mutapa Gold Resources, formed in January 2026 following the restructuring of the former Kuvimba gold cluster, targets monthly production of 570 kilograms by 2029, up from the current 300 kilograms.
