A Guide to Zimbabwe’s Underground mining Lingo (slang)

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Small scale miners in Zimbabwe

Miners in Zimbabwe, like many specialized industries, have developed their own unique set of slang and street lingo to describe the equipment and tools used on Mine sites.

by Keith Sungiso

From powerful machinery to small, everyday tools, these often humorous names add a touch of fun to the otherwise tough work environment. Be it in Makonde, Zvishavane, Filabusi or anywhere in Zimbabwe, this lingo helps miners communicate quickly and efficiently in a high-stakes environment where time and precision are critical.

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.

  1. 5 stamp mill – 5 stampa
  2. Air leg – nyawo
  3. Alternator head (Generator) – igwenya
  4. Ball mill – Chiguru guru/ ChiBholo
  5. Bush Tuckshop – Chibhon’ashuro
  6. Buyers – Mabhayera
  7. Bully and violent gangs – Mabhambadzi
  8. Catapult/ndandi – Wish
  9. Comp/genset engine – Gwenya
  10. Crusher – Pinduka
  11. Cyanide bucket – Chikanga
  12. Drill rig – Chinzikunye, Jomboro
  13. Dust mill – Chimbumu
  14. Eloping – Kuvhuna
  15. Empty vat tanks – Kurapura
  16. Explosives – Masadza
  17. Extended refining – Selaz
  18. Feeder – Chinyanganya
  19. Fill vat tanks – Kudhibhira
  20. Footwall – Futuhoro
  21. Gang minions – Zvimbwanana
  22. Germans – Magerimani
  23. High sample kit – Njumba
  24. Hosepipe – Matumbu
  25. Jack hammer – Njekete
  26. James Table – Gavha stick
  27. Junk – Mbara
  28. Lasher – Maholoha
  29. Locomotive – Makaranyani / Ngorovhani
  30. Mill – Mhiro
  31. Mill remnants – Mashoro
  32. Mine Sponsor/owner – Murungu
  33. Mine Shaft – Tonera
  34. Miner – Gweja
  35. Money – Musharara
  36. Money advance/asking for money – Kuhovha
  37. Not part of the share – Haumo mubhasikiti
  38. Ore – Kwa small
  39. Ore reject – Ravhuza
  40. Pipe for air pressure – Thumbo ye smoko
  41. Place/Space to Mine – Chikwera
  42. Pump – Chidhakwa
  43. Rain suit – Chikweshe
  44. Redoing – Mareeds
  45. Rescue pack – Chimpakuri
  46. Rock tumbler – Chivhu
  47. Sdc gold detector – Chitititi
  48. Shaking table – Chivorovo
  49. Skip – Chikurupati/ Chikepe
  50. Small stamp mill – Chinjoma
  51. Silver mercury – Chigidhi
  52. Sponser/Owner – Murungu
  53. Take a credit – Kuporora
  54. The boss – Ziguru
  55. Tunnel – Chikwera
  56. Tumbling station – Chivhu Chivhu
  57. Water pump – Chidhakwa
  58. Work suit – Perengende/ Chimombe/ Matseee