In an era where resource depletion threatens traditional mining, Pan African’s Muriel Mine has emerged as a masterclass in operational revival. By combining high-tech hydrosluicing, tailings retreatment, and aggressive exploration, the mine has transitioned from a three-month life expectancy to a 30-year horizon. The Association of Mine Managers of Zimbabwe (AMMZ) is now calling this strategy the “template” for a greener, more sustainable mining economy.
The AMMZ has commended Pan African’s Muriel Mine for its successful dump retreatment operation and exploration-driven revival, with industry leaders noting that the approach offers a template for other mining operations facing resource depletion, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Speaking to this publication on the sidelines of a technical visit to the Banket-based mine, AMMZ President Gift Mapakame highlighted the significance of retreating historical tailings using efficient technologies while reducing the carbon footprint of mining operations.
“When we thought that we were depleting our resources, we were not fully utilising our resources as we have seen,” Mapakame said. “We have always been mining, but we still have an opportunity to have greener mining operations, a greener mining economy, by going and retreating materials with more efficient technologies. There is no mobile equipment—just pumping and processing and then tailings storage.”
Mapakame also noted the importance of leadership investing in all facets of the industry, including exploration and even insurance partnerships, to sustain operations.
George Wayeni, AMMZ Vice President and a representative of RZM Murowa, described the visit as “quite an insightful engagement,” noting that Muriel Mine has breathed new life into the operation by utilising dumps that would otherwise have been written off.
“They have done well to do that,” Wayeni said. “Revenues now coming from this project are funding exploration for the future. We see that future manifesting into a reality because they are now going to start construction of the front end of the plant. It’s a very good initiative that we see, and lots of other operations that we have seen over the years can actually take a leaf from this initiative and generate revenues that can be used to sustain businesses.”
Muriel Mine’s hydrosluicing operation, which uses high-pressure water jets to break down consolidated tailings, is now in its final five months, Resident Engineer Takudzwa Kaisi told the delegation. The operation has treated 1.166 million tonnes in 2025, up from 200,000 tonnes in 2023, with gold production reaching 20,000 ounces (630 kilograms) last year.
Recovery rates have moderated to between 70% and 75% due to metallurgical challenges, including elevated copper levels—reaching 0.5% in some zones—and preg-robbing carbonaceous material inherent to the ore. The mine manages these issues through selective mining and blending.
Pan African invested US$20 million in exploration, extending Muriel’s underground life-of-mine from an effective three months to five years, while the nearby Aysha deposit now holds 1.3 million ounces of resources with a 30-year mine life.
Geologist Rachel, who presented the resource update, emphasised that exploration was critical to the mine’s survival. “When you stop exploring, you’re actually going to expire,” she told the delegation. “Muriel Mine is an example where exploration has been very much key to the livelihood of the mine.”
The newly delineated underground reefs, including the South Reef and extensions in the Fortuna and Cape Gum areas, are not yet being mined. The operation is currently constructing a crusher to process the harder primary ore from these zones, with the transition expected to follow the depletion of the dump.
Wayeni noted that the technical visit drew strong attendance, with operations from across the country participating.
“Initially we were pushing people to register, but in the end we really got a very good turnout,” he said. “We can only move forward from here. It’s good that we get to have these interactions as the Association of Mine Managers, together with all our partners.”
With gold prices remaining favourable, Wayeni added that the current environment presents an opportunity for the industry to invest and grow.
“It’s the time to really go for it,” he said.
The AMMZ technical visit included presentations by Resident Engineer Takudzwa Kaisi, Senior Plant Metallurgist Webster Chemhuru, geologist Rachel, the plant manager, and the finance manager, followed by a site tour of the hydrosluicing operation, the carbon-in-leach plant, and the tailings storage facility.
