The Association of Mine Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ) has taken a significant step towards strengthening youth participation in the profession after co-opting Tafara Bingandadi as its first-ever Youth Chairman, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The new position, introduced for the first time in the association’s history, gives young mine surveyors a formal platform within AMSZ leadership and signals a deliberate effort to bring the next generation closer to the centre of the profession.
Bingandadi was co-opted during AMSZ’s 41st Annual General Meeting and Conference in Masvingo, where the association placed renewed emphasis on youth participation, professional development, and the need for mine surveyors to adapt to rapid technological changes across the mining industry.
Speaking after his appointment, Bingandadi said he was honoured by the confidence placed in him and committed to using the position to advance opportunities for young professionals.
“I am truly honoured to be elected Youth Chairman of the Association of Mine Surveyors of Zimbabwe, and I sincerely thank the Association for trusting me with this responsibility.”
His appointment comes with a focus on empowering young surveyors through mentorship, networking, continuous professional development, and greater exposure to emerging technologies.
“My focus will be on empowering young surveyors through mentorship, networking, continuous learning, and embracing new technologies,” Bingandadi said.
He said the changing nature of mine surveying requires young professionals to develop competencies beyond conventional surveying techniques and become proficient in technologies increasingly shaping the mining sector.
“As the profession evolves, we must equip ourselves with modern tools such as GIS, GNSS, drones, 3D modelling, and AI, while maintaining the standards and principles of mine surveying,” he said.
Giving Young Surveyors a Voice
The creation of the Youth Chairman position represents a concrete move by AMSZ to institutionalise youth participation rather than treating it as an occasional feature of the profession.
The association has also been opening its activities to students and young professionals, including providing opportunities for students to attend its conference and exploring mentorship initiatives aimed at connecting experienced surveyors with those entering the profession.
For Bingandadi, the new position provides an opportunity to ensure that young surveyors are not only prepared for the future but are actively involved in shaping it.
“To the youth, my message is simple: learn, adapt, participate, and take your place in the industry. Together, let’s measure today and shape tomorrow,” he said.
His message reflects the changing role of mine surveyors, whose work is increasingly incorporating digital mapping, spatial data, remote sensing, drones, three-dimensional modelling, and other advanced technologies.
A Profession Evolving with Technology
The timing of the appointment comes as Zimbabwe’s mining industry continues to embrace new technologies and as the mine surveying profession seeks to expand its role within modern mining operations.
For young surveyors, this transformation presents both an opportunity and a challenge: to combine the technical foundations of mine surveying with new digital skills while maintaining the professional standards on which the discipline is built.
The first Youth Chairman position, therefore, gives AMSZ an additional avenue to prepare and develop the next generation of professionals while ensuring that their perspectives are represented within the association.
Bingandadi’s co-option marks a new chapter for AMSZ, but its significance extends beyond the appointment of one individual. It establishes a formal youth leadership platform within the profession and places greater responsibility on young surveyors to participate, develop their skills, and contribute to the future direction of mine surveying in Zimbabwe.
