Zimbabwe’s efforts to strengthen gold traceability and responsible sourcing are beginning to attract growing interest from international buyers, with Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) saying its compliance and digital tracking systems are opening new opportunities for engagement across the country’s gold value chain, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe on the sidelines of the Africa Down Under 2026 conference in Perth, FGR General Manager Peter Magaramombe said international players had been impressed by the steps Zimbabwe has taken to improve transparency and responsible sourcing within its gold supply chain.
“There is a lot of interest from international buyers who have been very impressed by our traceability systems and responsible sourcing framework,” Magaramombe said.
“We are seeing buyers who are not just interested in purchasing our gold, they want to be part of the entire value chain in Zimbabwe.”
The growing interest comes as Zimbabwe seeks to strengthen formal channels for gold production and marketing, particularly within the artisanal and small-scale mining sector, which has become the country’s largest contributor to recorded gold deliveries.
Traceability at the Centre
At the heart of FGR’s strategy is the development of systems designed to improve visibility across the gold supply chain.
The refinery has partnered with Commstack on a blockchain-based traceability initiative aimed at creating digital records that can help track gold through the formal supply chain.
FGR has also been rolling out its Gold Card initiative as part of broader efforts to improve the identification and formalisation of gold producers.
According to Magaramombe, strengthening traceability is becoming increasingly important as international markets place greater emphasis on understanding the origin of gold and the conditions under which it is produced.
“The Gold Card system has been a game-changer for us,” he said. “It gives confidence to buyers, financiers and Government that our gold is legally produced and ethically sourced.”
Responsible Sourcing and Compliance
FGR has also strengthened its internal compliance structures as it seeks to align its due diligence processes with internationally recognised responsible sourcing principles.
Magaramombe said the refinery had established compliance and risk management systems covering its upstream supply chain, including the assessment of risks associated with issues such as financial crime, human rights and regulatory compliance.
“We have aligned our due diligence processes with OECD guidelines,” he said.
For Zimbabwe, responsible sourcing is becoming increasingly important as global bullion markets, refiners and buyers demand greater transparency around the provenance of gold.
The issue is particularly significant for a country where artisanal and small-scale miners account for a substantial share of recorded gold deliveries. Bringing more of those producers into formal systems could help improve traceability while reducing opportunities for gold to move through informal channels.
Building the Supply Chain
Beyond compliance and traceability, FGR has continued to expand its support and buying infrastructure for small-scale miners.
Magaramombe said the refinery had extended funding and support to thousands of miners as part of efforts to strengthen production and improve participation in the formal gold economy.
FGR has also deployed mobile gold-buying units and expanded its network of formal buying channels to improve access for producers operating in remote mining areas.
“If there is gold, we want to be there,” Magaramombe said.
The strategy reflects the importance of accessibility in Zimbabwe’s efforts to formalise the sector. For many small-scale miners, the availability of nearby, reliable and transparent buying channels can play a significant role in determining whether gold enters the formal economy.
International Interest
Magaramombe said FGR’s efforts to strengthen transparency and responsible sourcing had generated encouraging feedback from international markets.
The refinery has also used international platforms to explain its approach to compliance and traceability, including engagements with players in major global precious metals markets.
“The feedback we have received has been very encouraging,” Magaramombe said. “International buyers now see Zimbabwe as a credible source of responsibly sourced gold, and they want to deepen their engagement with us.”
For Zimbabwe, translating that interest into concrete commercial partnerships could create opportunities beyond the sale of refined bullion.
Magaramombe said some international players were increasingly interested in participating in broader parts of the country’s gold value chain, potentially opening discussions around investment, financing, technology and supply-chain development.
The Bigger Opportunity
Zimbabwe’s gold sector has continued to grow, driven largely by strong contributions from artisanal and small-scale miners and sustained investment in production.
FGR is targeting further growth in gold deliveries in 2026, with the continued formalisation of small-scale mining expected to remain central to the sector’s expansion.
But as production increases, the question of provenance is likely to become just as important as volume.
International buyers are increasingly looking beyond the quality and purity of gold to understand where it comes from and whether producers and suppliers can demonstrate responsible sourcing practices.
That creates both an opportunity and a challenge for Zimbabwe.
The opportunity lies in building a gold supply chain capable of attracting buyers and investors seeking transparent and responsibly sourced material. The challenge will be ensuring that traceability systems are effectively implemented across a mining sector that includes thousands of artisanal and small-scale producers.
For FGR, the interest expressed by international players at Africa Down Under suggests that Zimbabwe’s efforts are beginning to gain attention.
“The interest we are seeing confirms that there is a market for responsibly sourced and traceable gold,” Magaramombe said. “We want Zimbabwe to be part of that market and to continue building a value chain that benefits the country.”
As Zimbabwe works to increase formal gold deliveries and strengthen its position in international bullion markets, FGR’s traceability and responsible sourcing drive could become an increasingly important part of the country’s broader investment proposition.
