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Gold Deliveries Rebound in February 2026: ASM Surges 54 Percent

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Gold Deliveries Rebound in February 2026: ASM Surges 54 Percent

Gold deliveries to Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) staged a strong recovery in February 2026, rising 12.1% month-on-month to 3,412.9502 kg from 3,044.9708 kg in January 2026, while posting an impressive 31.5% year-on-year increase compared to 2,596.1084 kg delivered in February 2025, according to the latest statistics released by the country’s sole operating gold buyer and exporter, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The February rebound follows January’s seasonal slowdown and confirms what industry analysts have long understood: first-quarter production always recovers as weather conditions improve and operations normalise after the holiday period.

Total gold deliveries for February 2026 stood at 3,412.9502 kg, representing:

Month-on-Month: A 12.1% increase from 3,044.9708 kg in January 2026
Year-on-Year: A substantial 31.5% increase from 2,596.1084 kg in February 2025

Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners (ASM), the backbone of Zimbabwe’s gold sector, delivered 2,525.6529 kg in February 2026, demonstrating remarkable resilience as the rains begin to subside.

Month-on-Month: A strong 12.9% increase from 2,236.5628 kg in January 2026
Year-on-Year: An exceptional 54.0% surge from 1,640.3149 kg delivered in February 2025

The February performance confirms the seasonal pattern highlighted in Mining Zimbabwe’s previous analysis. January’s modest 1.3% year-on-year decline, recorded during peak rainfall, has given way to explosive growth as water levels recede and previously flooded workings become accessible. The 54% year-on-year increase demonstrates that the ASM sector’s productive capacity, built through 2025’s record-breaking performance, remains fully intact.

Large-Scale Producers (LSM) delivered 887.2973 kg in February 2026, showing a modest recovery after January’s holiday-related slowdown.

Month-on-Month: A 9.8% increase from 808.4080 kg in January 2026
Year-on-Year: A 7.2% decline from 955.7935 kg delivered in February 2025

The large-scale sector continues to face structural headwinds. While the month-on-month improvement signals a return to normal operations following December’s holiday shutdowns and January’s ramp-up period, the persistent year-on-year decline reflects ongoing challenges, including power shortages, equipment breakdowns, and capital expenditure constraints that have kept LSM output below its historical potential.

The February 2026 figures validate the analytical framework presented in Mining Zimbabwe’s “Don’t Panic, It’s a January Trend” feature. Following January’s 38.4% month-on-month decline from December 2025’s record performance, the sector has rebounded exactly as historical patterns predict.

January 2026 Recap:

Total deliveries: 3,044.9708 kg (down 38.4% from December 2025, down 3.9% year-on-year)
ASM deliveries: 2,236.5628 kg (down 42.4% month-on-month, down 1.3% year-on-year)
LSM deliveries: 808.4080 kg (down 23.7% month-on-month, down 10.5% year-on-year)

The February recovery demonstrates that January’s slowdown was precisely what analysts described: a natural production reset following December’s exceptional output, amplified by heavier-than-usual rainfall that constrained ASM operations.

The sector’s underlying strength is evident in the year-on-year comparisons. Despite starting the year with a marginal decline, February’s 31.5% overall increase and ASM’s 54% surge confirm that the production gains achieved throughout 2025 have been sustained into 2026.

New Framework Takes Effect Post-February

It is important to note that Fidelity Gold Refinery’s recently announced 90:10 forex payment structure for small-scale miners, implemented following a Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe directive, came into effect after the February delivery period. The February figures, therefore, reflect deliveries made under the previous 100% foreign currency retention framework.

The policy shift, announced in late February 2026, requires small-scale miners to surrender 10% of their export earnings to the central bank in local currency (ZiG), while retaining 90% in foreign currency. This marks a change from the previous arrangement where small-scale miners were exempt from surrender requirements and retained 100% of their proceeds in USD.

RBZ Governor John Mushayavanhu explained that the new framework aims to ensure fairness across the gold sector and eliminate regulatory arbitrage, noting that authorities had observed a “worrying trend” where large-scale producers were channelling gold through small-scale miners to access the 100% USD payment and ASM-specific tax rebates.

Industry stakeholders will watch closely to assess the policy’s impact on March deliveries and beyond, particularly given previous warnings from the Gold Miners Association of Zimbabwe that reducing forex retention could “promote the illicit flow of gold out of the country as miners look for more lucrative markets.”

However, several factors may cushion the transition. Global gold prices remain near historic highs, with bullion up approximately 95% year-on-year. For small-scale miners, 90% of a record-high gold price still exceeds 100% of the lower prices prevailing when the original incentive was designed. The 10% requirement is also deliberately modest, far below the 30% applied to large-scale producers.

Pricing Transparency Supports Producer Confidence

Fidelity Gold Refinery’s recent shift to live market spot prices for all gold purchases and settlements—implemented in early 2026—continues to support producer confidence through greater pricing transparency and responsiveness to global market openings.

By transitioning its primary pricing reference to live spot prices, the refinery ensures its partners benefit from real-time market movements. This modernised approach is crucial given that the gold spot price changes every 15 seconds, influenced by supply and demand, geopolitical tensions, currency movements, and high-frequency trading activity.

For miners, the change simplifies valuation. The price they receive is now directly pegged to a verifiable international standard, updated continuously during market hours. This transparency builds trust and incentivises formal deliveries, particularly important as the sector navigates the transition to the new forex retention framework.

Momentum Building Toward 50 Tonnes

The February rebound strengthens confidence in Zimbabwe’s ability to achieve the projected 50-tonne national target for 2026. With ASM delivering 2,525 kg in February—a 54% year-on-year increase—and the sector now entering the post-rainfall production surge, momentum is building toward the record-breaking performance required.

Key indicators to watch:

March–April acceleration: Historical patterns show ASM production surges once rains fully subside. March 2025 saw ASM deliver a record 1.86 tonnes in a single month; 2026 could see even higher figures given the sector’s expanded capacity.

LSM recovery trajectory: While large-scale producers continue to lag year-on-year, the 9.8% month-on-month increase signals a return to normal operations. Sustained improvement will require resolution of structural challenges, including power supply and equipment constraints.

Policy implementation: The 90:10 framework’s impact on March deliveries will provide the first indication of how small-scale miners respond to the revised incentive structure. Efficient disbursement of the local currency portion and maintenance of reasonable ZiG value will be critical.

February 2026 confirms what experienced industry observers understand: Zimbabwe’s gold sector operates on a predictable seasonal rhythm. January brings consolidation—against rain, against holiday shutdowns, against the slow restart of operations. February begins the recovery. March and April deliver acceleration.

The 31.5% year-on-year increase in February deliveries, driven by ASM’s extraordinary 54% surge, demonstrates that the sector’s productive capacity—built through 2025’s record-breaking campaign—remains fully intact. The fundamentals that propelled Zimbabwe beyond 40 tonnes—competitive pricing, improved transparency, and a resilient ASM sector—continue to support growth.

January was never the story. February is the first page of the real narrative. And that narrative points firmly toward 50 tonnes.

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 16 March 2026

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Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 16 March 2026

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 16 March 2026, from the official gold buyer and exporter Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR).

1 oz = 31.1035 g

CategoryPrice ($/g)Price ($/oz)
SG 90% and above151.90$4,724.63
SG 85% and above but below 90%150.30$4,674.86
SG 80% and above but below 85%148.69$4,624.79
SG 75% and above but below 80%147.08$4,574.71
Sample 5g and above but below 10g144.67$4,499.75
Fire Assay CASH152.71$4,749.82

 

Note: The Fire Assay cash price applies to gold above 100g, with no sample deduction.

A sample of not more than 10g is deducted for the Fire Assay Transfer price.

Strategic mineral prices – 16 March 2026

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Strategic mineral prices – 16 March 2026

Latest global mineral prices for chrome, lithium, copper, nickel, coal, platinum and palladium. Track daily mining commodity price trends, demand markets and global mining industry insights.

MineralPrice Range (USD)TrendKey Demand Market
Chrome Concentrate (40–42% Cr)$300 – $315 / t⬆ UpStainless Steel / China
Lithium Carbonate (Battery Grade)$10,200 – $14,800 / t⬇ DownEV & Battery Sector
Antimony (Refined)$14,500 – $16,500 / t⬆ UpElectronics / Alloys
Copper (LME)$9,750 – $10,650 / t⬆ UpConstruction / Power Infrastructure
Nickel (LME)$14,600 – $17,200 / t⬇ DownStainless Steel / Batteries
Thermal Coal (Newcastle)$122 – $152 / t⬆ UpPower Generation
Platinum (Spot)$900 – $1,030 / oz⬆ UpAuto Catalysts
Palladium (Spot)$950 – $1,110 / oz➡ StableAuto Catalysts

Market signals show chrome strengthening above $300/t due to Chinese ferrochrome demand, while lithium remains under pressure from global oversupply despite steady EV demand.

Zimbabwe Losing Billions by Exporting Raw Minerals, MMCZ Reveals as Beneficiation Case Builds

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Zimbabwe Losing Billions by Exporting Raw Minerals, MMCZ Reveals as Beneficiation Case Builds

Dr Nomsa Moyo lays out stark arithmetic: $50 per tonne for raw ore versus $22,000 for processed lithium

Zimbabwe has been haemorrhaging potential revenue by exporting raw minerals instead of processed products, with the gap between unprocessed ore and finished battery-grade material running as high as $22,000 per tonne, a senior official has revealed.

By Rudairo Maparanga

Presenting at a workshop on Energy Minerals co-hosted by ActionAid Zimbabwe and Parliament, Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe General Manager Dr Nomsa Moyo delivered a stark economic rationale for the government’s push toward beneficiation, using lithium as the clearest example of value lost at every stage of the supply chain.

The Numbers That Explain the Policy Shift

Dr Moyo walked lawmakers and civil society through the escalating value at each stage of lithium processing, exposing the scale of revenue leakage that has motivated the government’s recent export ban.

“If you are selling raw ore, we are talking of $30 to $50 per metric tonne,” she said.

Moving to concentrates, the value increases fivefold.

“If you go to the next level, which is concentrates, we are talking of $150 to $300 per metric tonne. That is your spodumene concentrate.”

The intermediate stage, technical-grade lithium carbonate, commands $400 to $600 per tonne.

But it is at the final processing stages that the numbers become transformative.

“When they talk of a fine product, which is battery-grade lithium hydroxide, this is now $18,000 to $22,000 per metric tonne.”

And at the manufacturing stage—lithium batteries themselves—the value per tonne equivalent soars to between $50,000 and $80,000.

“So you can look at the metrics and see what we have been exporting in Zimbabwe. We are just getting $250 per metric tonne. Getting two steps ahead, we are talking of $22,000 per metric tonne.”

The Rural Development Dimension

Dr Moyo framed the beneficiation agenda not merely as a matter of national accounts but as a development imperative for mining communities.

“Think of the Zimbabwean in the rural area, the benefit that they will derive. $300 per metric tonne versus $22,000 per metric tonne. That’s the loss that we are incurring as a country.”

“When we are talking value addition, we are talking real business and real values. We are missing out as a country, and we need to up our game. The world will not wait for Zimbabwe.”

Dr Moyo outlined the broader economic benefits that flow from local processing, beginning with employment.

“The level of employment—if you look at mining, it means you are employing the miners. But if you go to upgrade, you are also employing higher-skilled people: chemical engineers, metallurgical technicians, and process engineers.”

“If you look at mining, you are limiting your employment levels. But if you go right up to value addition, you are enhancing the level of employment as well as industrial development.”

Technology transfer represents another critical benefit.

“Those people come—whether from China, India, or wherever—and they bring technology to Zimbabwe. They will not take it all away. That’s a benefit. Capacity building. They leave the skills here.”

She cited Dubai as an example of a jurisdiction that prioritises attracting investment and skills over short-term considerations.

“They don’t ask people a lot of questions if you are planning to locate there. Because what they are asking is, if you get bored with Dubai, you still leave the building—you don’t take the building. They still have the benefit.”

The Royalty Arithmetic

Dr Moyo illustrated the fiscal impact of processing using royalty calculations.

“For example, under current royalty rules, 5% on ore in 2025—you get $10 if you do raw ore.”

“But if you process further, you get $1,000. That’s a significant difference in terms of figures.”

Implementation: Zimbabwe’s Persistent Challenge

While acknowledging that the policy framework for value addition exists, Dr Moyo raised concerns about implementation.

“We talk like the recession has passed, but what kills Zimbabwe is implementation. We go one step ahead and take steps backwards.”

Her remarks resonated with an audience acutely aware of the gap between policy formulation and execution that has historically undermined Zimbabwe’s industrial ambitions.

With the government having suspended raw lithium exports and signalled that beneficiation is now non-negotiable, Dr Moyo’s presentation provided the empirical foundation for that policy shift.

The numbers leave little room for debate: $50 per tonne for raw ore versus $22,000 for battery-grade material represents a value multiple that no resource-rich nation can afford to ignore.

For mining communities, the promise is employment not just for diggers but for technicians, engineers, and process operators. For the fiscus, the potential is royalty revenues measured in thousands per tonne rather than tens of dollars. And for Zimbabwe’s long-term industrial trajectory, the opportunity is to capture not just extraction value but manufacturing value—batteries, solar panels, and the full spectrum of energy transition products.

The question, as Dr Moyo framed it, is whether Zimbabwe can finally implement what it has long promised.

“The world will not wait for Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe will trail behind, but everybody will continue to progress.”

Ariana Steps Up Dokwe Exploration as Drilling Points to Resource Expansion

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Ariana Steps Up Dokwe Exploration as Drilling Points to Resource Expansion

Ariana Resources is preparing to commence Phase 2 diamond drilling at its Dokwe North gold project in Zimbabwe later this month, following encouraging exploration results that suggest the mineralised system extends beyond the limits of the current resource model.

By Ryan Chigoche

The drilling campaign will build on a recently completed reverse circulation (RC) programme that returned several high-grade gold intercepts, strengthening confidence in the geological continuity of the deposit.

According to the company, diamond drilling will provide more detailed geological data than RC drilling, enabling the exploration team to refine the structural interpretation of the ore body and better understand the extent of mineralisation.

Ariana Managing Director Kerim Sener said the upcoming programme will form part of preparations for a potential update of the project’s resource estimate under the JORC reporting standard.

“Ariana plans to begin Phase 2 diamond drilling at Dokwe North in late March 2026 as a prelude to a possible JORC resource review,” Sener said.

The decision to advance to diamond drilling follows a series of encouraging intersections from the RC programme completed during the 2025–2026 exploration season.

Among the standout results was an intercept of four metres grading 16.90 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from a depth of 69 metres in drill hole DRC25, one of the strongest intersections recorded during the campaign.

Other significant intercepts included 10 metres at 7.67 g/t gold from 110 metres in hole DRC23, and 10 metres at 4.91 g/t from 156 metres in hole DRC22. These results confirm the continuity of mineralisation along the principal shear zone that hosts the Dokwe deposit.

Exploration results indicate that the mineralised system may extend beyond the boundaries of the existing resource model. The company believes near-surface oxide mineralisation could continue for as much as 150 metres beyond the current resource envelope towards the northeast.

The RC programme was expanded after initial drilling returned promising geological results. In total, Ariana completed 5,659 metres of drilling across 31 holes, exceeding the initial exploration plan of 4,000 metres across 26 holes.

Several step-out holes drilled between 50 and 100 metres beyond the high-grade DRC25 intercept are still awaiting laboratory results, leaving open the possibility of further extensions to the mineralised system.

Sener said the exploration results reinforce confidence in the scale and continuity of the Dokwe gold system and support the transition to the next stage of drilling.

The Dokwe mineral resource is currently estimated at 1.1 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 1.52 g/t, making it one of the more notable undeveloped gold deposits in southern Zimbabwe.

Growing Interest in Zimbabwe’s Gold Exploration

Progress at Dokwe comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s gold sector is drawing renewed attention from international explorers and investors.

Gold remains the country’s largest single mineral export, generating about US$5 billion in export earnings in 2025. Deliveries reached 36.7 tonnes last year, and industry projections suggest national output could move closer to 50 tonnes if current growth trends continue.

Strong global bullion prices, supported by central bank buying, geopolitical tensions, and broader economic uncertainty, have also boosted investor interest in gold exploration projects across Africa.

Zimbabwe’s greenstone belts and the Zimbabwe Craton are widely regarded as highly prospective geological terrains for gold, hosting numerous historic mines and several large deposits.

If upcoming drilling confirms further extensions of high-grade mineralisation beyond the current resource boundary, the project could move closer to expanding its resource base and advancing toward eventual mine development.

Parliament Throws Weight Behind Lithium Ban as PS Kunaka Reveals Leakages

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Parliament Throws Weight Behind Lithium Ban as PS Kunaka Reveals Leakages

Members of Parliament have thrown their unanimous support behind the government’s immediate suspension of raw mineral and lithium concentrate exports after hearing detailed evidence from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development on the scale of mineral leakages and the loss of valuable multi-elements contained in Zimbabwe’s lithium deposits, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking at a workshop on energy minerals co-hosted by ActionAid Zimbabwe and the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Ministry of Mines and Mining Development Permanent Secretary Pfungwa Kunaka provided the technical and scientific rationale behind the ban, revealing that studies had confirmed significant losses of rare earth minerals and other valuable elements through raw exports.

PS Kunaka said Zimbabwe’s lithium deposits contain other elements that have been largely overlooked in public discourse.

“It’s something that is quite scientific, that when you look at most of the ore bodies in Zimbabwe, they are multi-mineral. And even the lithium ore is also coming with multi-elements, which are, to some extent, even rare earth minerals.”

This geological reality means that when Zimbabwe exports raw lithium concentrate or other raw minerals, it is not just shipping lithium or other minerals; it is losing a cocktail of valuable elements that could be extracted and sold if processing occurred locally.

“The observation that we have come up with, through studies and technical testing of the lithium that has been exported from the country, brings us to the conclusion that a lot of the minerals were leaking. We’re now putting a stop to the loss of some of the very crucial and valuable elements in the lithium.”

Ban Not New: Existing Law Was Being Abused

Crucially, Kunaka clarified that the ban is not a new policy but the enforcement of existing law that had been undermined by licence abuse.

“I would agree to some extent that the ban was abrupt. But the other side is also to say that since 2023, we have had a ban on the export of ore, lithium, and other base minerals.”

He explained that Statutory Instrument 213 of 2022 had already prohibited raw mineral exports. A few companies were granted temporary licences to export while they developed processing capacity, but these licences became a vehicle for widespread abuse.

“This trajectory is something that our stakeholders have been quite aware of. You’ll be aware that we’ve even agreed with the producers in the lithium sector that, come 2027, we would have wanted them to gravitate to the production of sulphate, and it’s something that they’ve committed to even in writing.”

However, the abuse of temporary licences forced the government’s hand.

“But a crunch came, Chairman, when we discovered that a lot of the leakages were actually happening, and this was through a study which was undertaken in 2025, which confirmed the loss of value in the region. So this necessitated the government, in order to protect value, to come up with a ban that we announced on the 25th of February 2026.”

The decision was so urgent that even lithium already on the roads was ordered to return.

“We went to the extent of saying even the lithium which was on the highways, on the roads, and even at border posts was supposed to be returned back because the ban was with immediate effect. Of course, that came with some costs that the government had to take action on.”

Kunaka dismissed concerns that Zimbabwe lacks processing capacity, revealing that multiple sulphate plants are nearing completion.

“We are glad, Chairman, that some of the producers, three of them, already have a plant which is due for commission anytime from now. We also have, Chairman, other miners with a processing plant for sulphate, which we believe can be commissioned anytime from now. We also have good progress, Chairman, in terms of processing plants that are coming up.”

He projected that by the end of 2026, Zimbabwe will have no fewer than four lithium sulphate processing plants operational.

For small-scale miners unable to build their own plants, Kunaka pointed to the PGM sector as a model.

“Even the small producers, they need to join hands with the big ones who will be able to set up the plants. This is not a new arrangement. We have seen this happening in the PGM sector, where they are joining hands. Someone with a bigger pocket has put up the necessary processing plants.”

Fiscal Reforms Needed

The Permanent Secretary acknowledged that the fiscal regime must be adjusted to support the beneficiation trajectory.

“This is where perhaps, Chairman, we need to be talking more closely with the Minister of Finance. We need a fiscal regime that is promoting that trajectory. I think the Chamber is already making some representations to the Minister of Finance in that regard.”

Following Kunaka’s presentation, Members of Parliament across the political divide expressed strong support for the ban, with some arguing it was long overdue.

Hon. Matangira, Chairman of the Portfolio Committee, who had earlier raised concerns about the abruptness of the ban, shifted position after hearing the technical evidence, acknowledging the necessity of immediate action to protect national interests.

Hon. Mushoriwa delivered a particularly forceful statement, prioritising national development over diplomatic considerations.

“The country needs to be certain of its interest. We cannot put friendship in front of profits. Our interests as a country are development, not friendship. What doesn’t improve or develop the country cannot be prioritised.”

He went further, suggesting the government had actually waited too long.

“The government decision was actually late, but good. I encourage the government not to reverse the ban.”

Hon. Karimazondo expressed concern about the scale of undervaluation occurring before the ban.

“The ban was good, and I also feel minerals that were being declared were less than 50 percent of their actual value.”

His remarks suggested that the problem of transfer pricing and deliberate undervaluation was far more extensive than previously acknowledged.

Hon. Zvaipa reflected on how his perception had changed after hearing the Ministry’s presentation.

“The way the ban was perceived before and now—I had been blaming the Ministry, but after they presented the evidence, my understanding has completely shifted.”

The Ultimate Goal: Battery-Grade Chemicals

Kunaka concluded by outlining the government’s long-term vision for the lithium sector.

“The ultimate goal, Chairman, is to be able to have battery-grade chemical production. In other words, we want the raw materials to be processed to the extent that they can be used in a lithium battery, and also in solar panels. So this value addition component is very important.”

He reminded the gathering that lithium is not just an export commodity but a critical mineral for the global energy transition—and Zimbabwe intends to be a processor, not just a digger.

Fidelity Unveils a Comprehensive Support Package for Small-Scale Miners

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Fidelity Unveils a Comprehensive Support Package for Small-Scale Miners

Gold Card initiative, low-cost funding, and mining shaft access to transform the ASM sector

GWERU – Mutapa Investment Fund-owned gold buyer and exporter, Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR), is rolling out a multi-pronged strategy to support artisanal and small-scale miners, including low-cost funding, a transformative Gold Card identification system, access to mining shafts, and targeted training programmes, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Presenting at the Miners for Economic Development high-level strategic planning workshop in Gweru on Thursday, FGR’s Francis Maidza outlined the breadth of initiatives the gold buying and refining giant has deployed to capacitate the ASM sector, which now supplies over 60 per cent of Zimbabwe’s gold output.

Maidza highlighted the impact of Fidelity’s gold development initiatives, revealing that the fund has reached thousands of miners across the country.

“Access to low-cost funding. Fidelity has the gold initiative funds. This fund is used to fund miners. Up to the end of 2025, we have funded almost 3,300 miners to capacitate their operations,” Maidza said.

This substantial investment has enabled small-scale miners to acquire equipment, improve safety standards, and increase production efficiency.

Maidza introduced a transformative initiative that promises to reshape how small-scale miners interact with the formal system: the ASM Gold Card.

“We will introduce a gold card as a transformative move towards the formalisation of ASM and the enhancement of gold trade activity. It is a strategic initiative to capture economic funds and safeguard communities along our gold supply chain in line with global responsible sourcing standards.”

The card will embed miners into traceability systems that meet international standards, unlocking tangible benefits.

“The introduction of the card will assist in formalising miners and embedding them into responsible sourcing and traceability systems. This will unlock tangible funding benefits for the miners accredited under Fidelity Gold. I think very soon you will know more about this gold card because each and every miner will get this card,” Maidza explained.

Fidelity’s commitment extends beyond funding to direct community participation. Maidza outlined how the refinery prioritises local hiring whenever it establishes new buying centres.

“Through our operations in communities, we prioritise hiring local community members whenever we establish a new gold buying centre or a gold sales centre.”

This approach ensures that the benefits of gold trade flow directly to the communities where mining occurs.

In a significant development, Maidza revealed that Fidelity, in partnership with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, has been allocated claims that will be opened for community members to work.

“We provide access to mining shafts to community members in areas where we open gold sales centres. This enables direct community participation in productive mining activities.”

He added: “Fidelity will provide mining shafts in our claims because we are partnering with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, and they have also given us claims to work on. So we need people to work those claims. That would be a chance for you guys.”

This initiative creates direct economic opportunities for community members who might otherwise struggle to access viable mining ground.

Maidza emphasised that Fidelity is not just providing funding but also building the capacity of miners to run sustainable businesses.

“Through our community engagement programmes, we provide miners with training in capacity building, for example gold buying as a business. Has anyone attended one of our trainings?”

He acknowledged that awareness of these programmes needs to improve.

“I think it’s because we don’t know how people will come to GDIF. We just invite people through our gold buying centres. All stakeholders must be involved in this training. We want you to treat your mining as a business; not each person is the head of the party.”

The training programmes are designed to professionalise the sector, encouraging miners to adopt business practices that improve profitability and sustainability.

Maidza highlighted Fidelity’s commitment to environmental safety, demonstrated through partnerships with the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).

“We have a commitment to environmental safety demonstrated by our partnership with EMA. We are starting to go out and deliver where we are going to the shafts that have been closed so that the community will not have any problems.”

This rehabilitation work ensures that mining activity does not leave lasting environmental damage for communities to contend with.

Beyond direct mining support, Maidza encouraged miners to explore supply chain opportunities.

“Let’s discuss those who live in mining areas where there are a lot of gold sales centres. They can supply some materials or utilise us as a chemical supplier. Like I said, we are also looking for services that you can access.”

This opens avenues for local entrepreneurs to participate in the gold value chain without necessarily mining themselves.

Strategic mineral prices today – 13 March 2026

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Strategic mineral prices today – 13 March 2026

Latest benchmark mineral prices compiled from global commodity market indicators.

(Chrome, Lithium, Copper, Nickel, Coal, Platinum & Palladium Market Update)

Mineral / ProductLatest Price Range (USD)📈 Price Trend🌍 Key Demand Market
Chrome Concentrate (40–42% Cr, CIF China)$300 – $315 / t⬆ UpStainless Steel / China
Lithium Carbonate (Battery Grade)$10,200 – $14,800 / t⬇ DownEV & Battery Sector
Lithium Hydroxide (Battery Grade)$9,800 – $14,200 / t⬇ DownEV Batteries
Spodumene Concentrate (6% Li₂O)$880 – $1,050 / t➡ StableChina Lithium Refineries
Antimony (Refined)$14,500 – $16,500 / t⬆ UpElectronics / Alloys
Copper (LME)$9,750 – $10,650 / t⬆ UpConstruction / Power
Nickel (LME)$14,600 – $17,200 / t⬇ DownStainless Steel / Batteries
Thermal Coal (Newcastle)$122 – $152 / t⬆ UpPower Generation
Platinum (Spot)$900 – $1,030 / oz⬆ UpAuto Catalysts
Palladium (Spot)$950 – $1,110 / oz➡ StableAuto Catalysts

MMCZ Unveils High-Tech Arsenal to Plug Mineral Leakages: Drones, Mobile Labs, and Digital Integration

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MMCZ Unveils High-Tech Arsenal to Plug Mineral Leakages: Drones, Mobile Labs, and Digital Integration

The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) is deploying a sophisticated array of technological measures to combat mineral leakages, including drone surveillance systems, mobile laboratories, and an integrated digital platform that will allow miners to conduct business from their homes, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Presenting at the Miners for Economic Development strategic planning workshop in Gweru, MMCZ Sales Executive Memory Phiri outlined the Corporation’s comprehensive strategy to tighten oversight across Zimbabwe’s mineral value chain.

Phiri announced that MMCZ is finalising an integrated enterprise system that will transform how miners interact with regulatory authorities.

“We want to come up with a system where you can just do business from your home, and you can communicate with us,” Phiri told the gathering.

“We are going to integrate with ZIMRA. We are going to integrate with MMCZ. We are also going to integrate with other companies in terms of raising our CD1 and everything. So the system will accommodate those. So you will have a much lower cost.”

This digital integration promises to reduce transaction costs for miners while creating an auditable trail that makes evasion more difficult.

Beyond digital systems, MMCZ is taking to the air to monitor mining activities and export routes.

“In terms of curbing mineral leakages, we have also adopted technologies. Rather than just waiting for inspectors to come in to do the LFO, we have also adopted a drone system. We have also expanded our span of surveillance,” Phiri said.

The drone programme represents a significant upgrade from traditional inspection methods, allowing continuous monitoring of mining areas and transport routes without the delays and limitations of ground-based patrols.

“We used to have problems where MMCZ was not represented at the borders. And we would have, yes, other security agents, ZIMRA and others, but they don’t understand the technical aspect of it all,” Phiri acknowledged.

“But now MMCZ is at the borders with the equipment they use to check whatever the product is. So in terms of leakages, that’s one aspect that we have also tightened.”

With MMCZ geologists and technical staff now stationed at key exit points, shipments can be verified against their declared composition before leaving the country, closing the misdeclaration loophole that smugglers have long exploited.

Phiri revealed that MMCZ plans to deploy mobile laboratories during the period 2026–2033, bringing testing capability directly to mining areas and transport routes.

“Then, during the period of 2026–2033, we intend to have mobile laboratories,” she said.

These mobile units will complement the Corporation’s longer-term plan for a permanent facility.

“Then, as an institution, together with our parent ministry, it is also one of our plans to come up with a state-of-the-art multi-laboratory for the verification of assets. That is all very important.”

The combination of mobile and fixed laboratory capacity will ensure that mineral verification can happen at any point in the value chain, from the mine gate to the border post.

Phiri emphasised that MMCZ is not working in isolation but in continuous collaboration with other state agencies.

“We hold meetings with all state security agents. We are working with them, the ZIMRAs, just to give oversight on the export movement of material. Then we also have a multi-agent approach.”

This coordinated approach ensures that multiple layers of oversight apply to every shipment, reducing the risk that any single point of failure can be exploited.

Beyond enforcement, Phiri noted that MMCZ continues to engage with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development on legislative reforms that advance beneficiation.

“In terms of the promotion of value addition and beneficiation, we continue to engage with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development in advocating for legislative amendments that advance beneficiation and value addition. These efforts will be guided by state developments, benchmarking, and developing food trade with global trade,” she said.

Betterbrands Unveils Exploration Initiative to Give ASM Miners Bankable Resources

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Betterbrands Unveils Exploration Initiative to Give ASM Miners Bankable Resources

A transformative initiative to provide artisanal and small-scale miners with professional geological exploration services has been announced, aiming to turn informal claims into bankable resources that can attract investment and support Zimbabwe’s beneficiation agenda, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The announcement comes as Betterbrands Gold prepares for the official opening of its new gold refinery in Bulawayo, with all systems ready for the facility’s inauguration. The refinery represents a significant strategic expansion for the company, transitioning from gold trading to full-scale processing capacity.

Presenting at the Miners for Economic Development strategic planning workshop in Gweru, Betterbrands Gold CEO Fradrick Kunaka outlined plans to deploy a team of geologists to work directly with ASM operators, helping them develop the technical data needed to prove the value of their mining claims.

“We are going to have a team of geologists to do exploration so that miners will have a bankable resource,” Kunaka told the gathering. “We will put it in writing. It will be a full blueprint.”

Kunaka emphasised that the initiative is designed to be grounded in the realities miners face on the ground, drawing on their direct experience to shape practical solutions.

“You are on the ground and you know the challenges. Let us be practical. We are open to progressive ideas so that we will have a framework that will guide us. Any ideas that can be spread at the national level will be good in terms of how things are done,” he said.

The exploration initiative recognises that one of the biggest barriers ASM miners face is the inability to prove the value of their resources to potential investors, lenders, or partners. Without professional geological data, claims remain speculative, limiting access to financing and preventing miners from fully participating in the beneficiation value chain.

Kunaka also addressed the importance of structured membership in ensuring the initiative’s success.

“An association is in a better standing for vetting miners who are local, and they should be members who are local subscribers. A person who cannot subscribe to the association is more likely to default,” he said.

This approach positions miners’ associations as gatekeepers and guarantors, ensuring that those who benefit from the exploration services are committed, compliant members of the formal mining community.

The announcement drew immediate praise from mining stakeholders who have long advocated for professional exploration support.

Phillimon Mokoele, Vice Chairman for Technical Mining at Miners for Economic Development and ZIMSHEC representative, expressed strong support.

“Betterbrands, we have been asking for exploration. We thank you for coming with it,” Mokoele said. “It will make our claims bankable. I have been saying this, and I’m happy the idea is now being put into practice.”

Wilson T. Manase of Manase and Manase Legal Practitioners urged the organisers to move quickly from planning to execution.

“We are asking you to implement it as fast as possible. Can you implement that as soon as possible? Help the miners, and they will support the refinery,” Manase said.

His reference to “support the refinery” highlights the connection between exploration and beneficiation: processing plants need assured feedstock, which depends on miners having proven, bankable resources. Exploration is the foundation upon which the entire beneficiation agenda rests.

The exploration initiative aligns directly with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which explicitly prioritises strengthening geological mapping and mineral resource evaluation as foundations for sustainable mining development.

By bringing professional geological services to the ASM level, the initiative helps operationalise NDS2’s vision of a mining sector that is not only productive but also well-characterised, properly valued, and positioned for long-term growth.

Kunaka’s promise of a “full blueprint” suggests that the initiative will be documented and systematised, creating a model that can be replicated across mining districts.

For ASM miners who have long operated with limited technical support, the prospect of professional exploration services represents a significant step toward formalisation and inclusion in Zimbabwe’s broader mining industrialisation drive.

With geological teams set to be deployed, a framework for member vetting under development, and strong backing from industry leaders, the Betterbrands exploration initiative could mark a turning point for Zimbabwe’s artisanal and small-scale miners—moving them from speculation to certainty, from informal claims to bankable assets, and from the margins to the mainstream of the country’s mining future.

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