The Zimbabwean government has reiterated its strong support for Artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM), emphasising their critical role in the country’s mining sector following a successful start to 2025.
By Ryan Chigoche
The government’s commitment comes as new statistics reveal a robust performance in the first quarter, particularly driven by small-scale miners, who continue to contribute significantly to gold production.
The first quarter of 2025 saw impressive gold deliveries, with January reporting 3.13 tonnes, followed by 2.56 tonnes in February and 2.79 tonnes in March.
This steady production resulted in a total of 8.50 tonnes of gold delivered by the end of March, surpassing the target of 7 tonnes set for the quarter. This marks a notable 21.4% increase over the target, underscoring the vitality of Zimbabwe’s gold sector and the growing contribution of small-scale miners.
The contribution from small-scale miners was particularly significant, with their combined output for the quarter amounting to 5.77 tonnes, representing 68% of the total gold deliveries.
Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon Winston Chitando, underscored the importance of this momentum in deliveries during a Gold Mobilisation Workshop in the capital. He emphasised that the government’s commitment to small-scale miners remains steadfast, noting that their success is a direct result of focused efforts to mobilise and support this vital part of the industry.
“The success we have seen in the initial months of 2025 is a testament to the hard work of our miners and the effectiveness of our mobilisation strategies. We must continue to build upon this momentum. Our commitment to supporting small-scale producers through formalisation, training, and access to fair markets remains unwavering. Similarly, we will continue to engage with our primary producers to ensure that together we create a stable, sustainable, and productive operating environment,” said Minister Chitando.
This performance is a clear reflection of the ongoing efforts to formalize and support small-scale producers, ensuring that they have the tools and resources needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive industry.
While the primary producers—large-scale mining companies—also played an important role, contributing 32% of the total production, the government recognises the need for continued investment in this segment to ensure a more balanced and sustainable growth trajectory.
The government’s continuous efforts to empower small-scale miners, improve training programs, and facilitate access to fair markets are crucial in sustaining the positive momentum seen in the first quarter. With a strong collaborative approach between small-scale and large-scale producers, Zimbabwe’s mining sector is well-positioned to maintain its growth trajectory throughout the year.
Minister Chitando, however, highlighted that there is a need to address the issue of gold smuggling, which is highly prevalent among small-scale miners.
