Zimbabwe’s medium-scale miners, under the banner of the Junior Chamber of Miners Zimbabwe (JCMZ), are set to mark a significant milestone in their journey with their inaugural technical visit to Waterwitch Gold Mine in Inyathi on Friday next week.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The historic visit, held under the theme “Promoting Professional and Sustainable Mining with Zero Harm and Removing Funding Barriers,” is designed to expose medium-scale miners to practical, real-world mining operations while fostering collaboration with stakeholders from across the value chain.
According to JCMZ Secretary General Mr. Dosman Mangisi, the visit is expected to draw around 50 participants, including miners, academics, suppliers, financiers, and representatives from the Zimbabwe School of Mines. It forms part of the Chamber’s broader vision to develop a professional and modernised medium-scale mining sector that is both productive and environmentally responsible.
“This visit is about building bridges—between miners and financiers, manufacturers and government institutions—while promoting safe and sustainable mining,” Mangisi said. “Our aim is to empower the next generation of miners with technical skills, financial literacy, and compliance awareness that can elevate their operations to globally competitive standards.”
During the visit, attendees will be taken through a mining tour of Waterwitch Gold Mine, one of the few organised gold operations in Bubi that has embraced mechanised mining systems. Technical presentations will then follow, focusing on:
Drilling and blasting techniques
Mineral processing technologies
Mine planning and management
Safety, health, and environmental practices
Presentations will be led by experts from various sectors, including equipment manufacturers, the Zimbabwe School of Mines, suppliers, and finance institutions. Notably, the CEO of ZB Bank is expected to grace the occasion as the Guest of Honour, underscoring the financial sector’s growing interest in partnering with medium-scale miners.
The launch of JCMZ and its technical visits initiative follows recent developments in Zimbabwe’s mining ecosystem that have seen increased recognition of the role played by junior and medium-scale miners. According to a recent report, the Junior Chamber was formed to offer medium-scale miners a voice and structured platform to influence policy, build skills, and tap into opportunities previously out of their reach.
Simultaneously, the establishment of the Medium Scale Miners Association shows the industry’s shift towards formalisation and professionalism across all scales of operations. These initiatives are part of a new frontier in Zimbabwe’s mining development roadmap—one that includes everyone from the shovel-wielding prospector to the capital-intensive processor.
Promoting Compliance and Zero Harm
One of the key messages being driven by JCMZ is the need for medium-scale miners to adopt a culture of compliance, health and safety, and environmental stewardship. Through workshops, site visits, and knowledge sharing, the Chamber seeks to instill world-class operational standards into the heart of Zimbabwe’s emerging mining segment.
Attendees of the Waterwitch visit are encouraged to bring their own PPE—including helmets, work suits, and safety boots—as a show of respect for industry standards and site-specific safety protocols. This aligns with JCMZ’s objective of enhancing professional conduct and raising awareness of the importance of safe mining.
With its first technical visit underway, the Junior Chamber of Miners Zimbabwe is positioning itself as a pivotal player in the transformation of Zimbabwe’s junior mining sector. Through experience-sharing, capacity-building, and strategic alliances, the Chamber is creating a solid platform for future mining leaders to emerge.
Friday’s event at Waterwitch is not just a tour—it is a statement that junior miners are serious about moving from subsistence to substance. And with the right knowledge, partnerships, and policy support, the next big mining story in Zimbabwe could very well come from the corridors of JCMZ.
