Mining ZimbabweLatest Mining News, Policy and Industry Updates

The Democratic Republic of Congo has released 14 of the 17 Chinese nationals who were arrested last week on suspicion of operating an illegal gold mine in the country, authorities of that country announced late on Tuesday.

According to News central, the men, who are now on their way back to China, were detained alongside others from Congo and neighbouring Burundi during a crackdown on illegal mining activities. They were unable to provide the necessary documentation for their operations.

Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki, the governor of South Kivu, where the arrests took place, expressed his surprise upon hearing of their release. He added that the Chinese miners owed the government $10 million in unpaid taxes and fines.

Around 60 Chinese nationals were present at the site, with the 17 detained individuals believed to be in charge. The Chinese embassy in Kinshasa has yet to comment on the matter, while Burundi’s embassy is awaiting more information from its representative in Bukavu.

Bernard Muhindo, South Kivu’s finance minister and acting mines minister, explained that the goal was to reform the sector. “The idea is not to go on a manhunt, but rather to clean up the mining sector so that reliable partners can work properly and legally,” he stated.

The DRC has been struggling to curb the activities of unlicensed mining companies and, in some cases, armed groups who exploit its vast reserves of cobalt, copper, gold, and other valuable minerals. Competition for control over mining operations has also contributed to ongoing conflicts in the region, which borders Rwanda.

Zimbabwe’s government is taking action to support a more responsible artisanal gold mining sector, launching a $23.7 million USD project to reduce mercury across mine sites in the country.

A toxic chemical used to extract gold from ore, mercury damages the lungs, skin, and eyes. The chemical can travel far from where it is released, polluting the air, water, and soil. Furthermore, it bioaccumulates up the food chain.

In Zimbabwe, over 300,000 people work in artisanal gold mining, with the sector contributing to more than 40 percent of the country’s mineral exports. Across the country, 96 percent of artisanal gold mine sites use mercury, with miners often forgoing protective equipment and risking exposure to toxic fumes. Zimbabwe’s artisanal gold mining activities result in more than 24 tonnes of mercury being released annually.

The five-year planetGOLD Zimbabwe project is financially supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The project is executed by the international non-profit organization, IMPACT, in close coordination with the government of Zimbabwe.

The project will work together with local communities to reduce the use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining—the world’s largest source of anthropogenic emissions of mercury pollution— while improving the health and lives of local mining communities. The Zimbabwe project is part of a global programme implemented in 25 countries.

The planetGOLD Zimbabwe project plans to support 7,500 men and women at 11 districts in Zimbabwe, reducing mercury use by 4.85 tonnes. In addition to mercury reduction, the project aims to support formalization of the artisanal gold mining sector and increasing miner’s access to finance. This will lead to the adoption of mercury-free technologies and promote more responsible and traceable gold supply chains.

The project officially launched on November 14 in Harare, with an Inception Workshop that brought together stakeholders to discuss how planetGOLD Zimbabwe will support a more responsible artisanal gold sector.

In a keynote speech, Mr. Edward Samuriwo, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, outlined the project’s significance in addressing the challenges of mercury use in Zimbabwe’s gold mining sector. Mr. Samuriwo reaffirmed Zimbabwe’s commitment to the Minamata Convention on Mercury and emphasized the pivotal role the planetGOLD project will play in supporting the country’s efforts to eliminate mercury use in artisanal gold mining through the implementation of Zimbabwe’s National Action Plan.

Zimbabwe ratified the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2021. In its National Action Plan, the country committed to strong cooperation among all stakeholders including government agencies and supply chain actors to improve the health and safety of communities involved in artisanal gold mining.

“Through the launch of the planetGOLD project, Zimbabwe moves towards more responsible artisanal gold mining. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to create a sustainable change in the sector,” said Yann Lebrat, IMPACT’s Deputy Executive Director.

FutureCoal welcomes the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) 2024 Coal Outlook findings, which confirm coal’s enduring role in the global energy landscape. Global coal demand reached historic levels in 2024, underlining its essential role in energy security, economic growth, and industrial development.

Key findings from the report include:

• Global coal demand is expected to grow by 1% in 2024 to an all-time high of 8.77 billion tonnes (Bt).
• Electricity generation from coal is set to reach an all-time high of 10,700 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2024.
• Global coal production is forecasted to surpass 9 Bt for the first time in history.
• Since 2020, the global coal market has grown by more than 1.2 billion tonnes.

“Coal will continue to stay—it is the bedrock for over 100 countries,” said Michelle Manook, Chief Executive at FutureCoal. “This report underscores coal’s vital role in driving economies, creating jobs, and fuelling industrial growth. Nations like China, India, and emerging economies like Indonesia and Vietnam are harnessing coal for growth and self-sufficiency.”

“More importantly, coal supports heavy manufacturing, allowing regions like Europe to help afford new capital spending on so-called clean energy transition products such as electric vehicles, solar PV and wind turbines—or at least their essential components.”

China’s coal demand is expected to grow by 1% to reach 4.9 Bt in 2024, and India’s coal demand is projected to grow by over 5%, reaching 1.3 Bt. Emerging economies such as Indonesia and Vietnam also drive demand to support economic development.

“Coal is central to decarbonisation when paired with proven abatement technologies,” Manook stated. “Our Sustainable Coal Stewardship roadmap shows how coal can reduce emissions, enhance economic growth, and ensure environmental responsibility. It’s time for global stakeholders like the IEA to acknowledge coal’s transformative role.”

To sustain coal’s future responsibly, FutureCoal calls for increased investment in abatement technologies and balanced, fair policies supporting coal innovation.

“Technologies today can abate up to 99% of emissions while boosting efficiency, without the need for massive new infrastructure or overreliance on critical minerals,” said Manook. “A level playing field in regulations and finance, backed by fair government and media support, will drive investment to modernise coal abatement technologies and de-risk assets that will operate for decades”, Manook concluded.

The Women in Mining Awards have been celebrated as a significant step towards promoting and empowering women in the mining sector through the recognition of their achievements and contributions, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Held yesterday at Holiday Inn Hotel Harare and organized by Women in Mining Empowerment, led by Chiedza Chipangura, the event brought together key figures in the industry, acknowledging both individuals and companies for their participation and accomplishments.

The ceremony was a glamorous affair, with women from various mining sectors being celebrated for their resilience, dedication, and success.

Sharon Tokoda, an award recipient, expressed her gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the importance of celebrating the contributions of women in mining.

“This event was long overdue. The recognition of women in mining is something we are celebrating today because many women have been involved in mining for years, and mining has provided for numerous households,” Tokoda said.

She also celebrated her award as a supplier in the mining sector, noting that her work supplying lime from Zambia was driven by passion.

“When it comes to mining, it’s all about passion. These women wake up every day because they love what they do. We should encourage our young girls to take up mining because it has vast opportunities that are often overlooked,” Tokoda added.

Sharon Pencil, a young chrome miner from Mutorashanga in Mashonaland West, also shared her thoughts on the awards, describing them as empowering for women in small-scale and informal mining.

“This event was very empowering. It encourages women in small-scale or informal mining to formalize their operations and grow. It also shows that women can succeed in mining, a field once considered masculine,” Pencil said.

She emphasized that young people should take advantage of such opportunities, especially in a challenging economic environment.

The awards not only celebrated the achievements of women in the sector but also served as a platform to inspire more women and young people to venture into mining. The recognition of their efforts is expected to encourage women to formalize their businesses, invest in their operations, and grow their impact within the industry.

The Women in Mining Awards, hosted by Women in Mining Empowerment, have been hailed as a powerful vehicle for ensuring that women in mining are not only recognized but also supported in their efforts to contribute to the nation’s mining industry. Through events like these, women are empowered to take up leadership roles and break barriers in a field that has traditionally been male-dominated.

Chiedza Chipangura, who leads the Women in Mining Empowerment organization, emphasized the importance of these awards in giving women the recognition they deserve and motivating more women to join the industry. The success of the event reflects the growing role of women in Zimbabwe’s mining sector and the increasing opportunities for their participation in its future growth.