Local suppliers have been urged to act responsibly and avoid profiteering when selling goods and services to Zimbabwe’s small-scale mining sector. There is growing concern that inflated prices are threatening the viability of operations for many small-scale miners.
By Ryan Chigoche
The call was made by Mashonaland West small-scale miner, Chiedza Chipangura, during a Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) meeting with suppliers in the capital.
This meeting was part of ZMF’s ongoing efforts to foster better relationships between suppliers and the small-scale mining community.
ZMF, which represents over 1.5 million miners, opened its doors to suppliers, providing them with direct access to miners to enhance trust and collaboration.
Chipangura pointed out that many local suppliers source most of their products cheaply from China but then impose exorbitant markups when selling them to miners.
“Local suppliers must act with integrity and responsibility when dealing with the small-scale mining sector. These miners are not only the backbone of our economy but also key players in job creation and rural development. It is therefore imperative that suppliers offer fair and reasonable prices for goods and services, rather than taking advantage of the sector through excessive markups,” Chipangura said.
She further warned that if suppliers continue to inflate prices, miners will be forced to look for alternative sources, including importing equipment directly, which could leave local suppliers without business.
“If the prices aren’t fair, miners will have no choice but to bypass local suppliers and import equipment on their own. That would leave suppliers out of work and harm the local economy,” she added. “We want to work with the value chain—that’s how we grow together.”
The initiative, according to ZMF officials, aims to create a platform for direct engagement between suppliers and miners, fostering transparency and accountability.
The hope is that this will encourage suppliers to adjust their pricing to reflect the realities of the small-scale mining sector and reduce the practice of overcharging.
Participants at the meeting cautioned that continued profiteering could derail efforts to formalize the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector, which already plays a vital role in Zimbabwe’s economy.
With miners responsible for a significant portion of the country’s gold production, any disruption to their operations could have far-reaching consequences.
With over half a million Zimbabweans directly employed in small-scale mining, ensuring fair pricing is seen as essential for the sustainability and long-term success of the sector.
By sourcing locally, miners not only support the economy but also enjoy faster access to necessary resources, ensuring smoother operations.
