Miners in Zimbabwe have created their own slang to describe equipment and tools used on mine sites. From heavy machinery to simple handheld tools, these often humorous names bring some fun into a tough working environment. Whether in Makonde, Zvishavane, Filabusi or anywhere else in the country, this lingo helps miners communicate quickly and clearly in high-pressure situations.
Below is a list of common mining equipment slang used in Zimbabwe. Each term provides a glimpse into the mining industry’s culture, camaraderie, and unique language.
- 5 stamp mill – 5 stampa
- Air leg – nyawo
- Airloader – bhusumani
- Alternator head (Generator) – igwenya
- Ball mill – Chiguru guru/ ChiBholo
- Bush Tuckshop – Chibhon’ashuro
- Buyers – Mabhayera
- Bully and violent gangs – Mabhambadzi
- Cage – Chikepe
- Catapult/ndandi – Wish
- Cocopan – hoporo/ ngorovhani
- Comp/genset engine – Gwenya
- Crusher – Pinduka
- Cyanide bucket – Chikanga
- Drill rig – Chinzikunye, Jomboro
- Drill sticks – injombolo
- Dust mill – Chimbumu
- Eloping – Kuvhuna
- Empty vat tanks – Kurapura
- Explosives – Masadza/ Mahora/ Majaratina
- Extended refining – Selaz
- Fake gold – dingo
- Feeder – Chinyanganya
- Female miner – gwejeline
- Fill vat tanks – Kudhibhira
- Footwall – Futuhoro
- Food – momomo
- Gang minions – Zvimbwanana
- Germans – Magerimani
- Hammer mill – ingayiza
- Hard hat – kongo
- High sample kit – Njumba
- Hosepipe – Matumbu
- Jack hammer – Njekete
- James Table – Gavha stick
- Junk – Mbara
- Lasher – Maholoha
- Leg guide – madholo
- LHD GHH version – Jecheche
- Locomotive – Makaranyani / Ngorovhani
- Mill – Mhiro
- Mill remnants – Mashoro
- Mine Sponsor/owner – Murungu
- Mine Shaft – Tonera
- Miner – Gweja
- Money – Musharara
- Money advance/asking for money – Kuhovha
- Not part of the share – Haumo mubhasikiti
- Ore – Kwa small
- Ore reject – Ravhuza
- Overalls PPE – Amagidhiyani
- Pinch bar -mugwara
- Pipe for air pressure – Thumbo ye smoko
- Place/Space to Mine – Chikwera
- Pump – Chidhakwa
- Pusher – chovha
- Rain suit – Chikweshe
- Redoing – Mareeds
- Rescue pack – Chimpakuri
- Rock tumbler – Chivhu
- Sdc gold detector – Chitititi
- Shaking table – Chivorovo
- Skip – Chikurupati/ Chikepe
- Small ore – Kwa
- Small stamp mill – Chinjoma
- Silver mercury – Chigidhi
- Sinkinl suit – Chikweshe
- Sponsor/ Owner – Murungu
- Take a credit – Kuporora
- The boss – Ziguru
- Tunnel – Chikwera
- Tunnel end – dashboard
- Tuckshop – Kakanindo
- Torn gear – zvimombe/ perengende
- Tumbling station – Chivhu Chivhu
- Underhand drilling – Madhinda
- Underground mine walls – Chikwera
- Water pump – Chidhakwa
- Work suit – Perengende/ Chimombe/ Matseee
