Mining companies must shift from corporate social responsibility to genuine corporate social investment, Minister of Mines and Mining Development Dr Polite Kambamura has said, as he presided over the graduation of 300 artisanal miners trained under a Mutapa Gold Resources-funded programme, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Addressing a packed gathering at Magandi Park on Thursday, the Minister praised Mutapa Gold Resources for what he called “enlightened corporate citizenship in practice,” urging other mining houses to follow suit in supporting the formalisation of the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.
“Allow me to formally thank Mutapa Gold Resources for this funding initiative. This is what enlightened corporate citizenship looks like in practice,” Kambamura said. “We need to move away from only corporate social responsibility to corporate social investment. This is a corporate investment that we are witnessing here. When these people are empowered, we have empowered our nation.”
Responsible Mining Initiative takes root
The Minister reminded the audience that the training programme, delivered in partnership with the Zimbabwe School of Mines, is deeply rooted in the government’s Responsible Mining Initiative launched in 2025.
“For too long, this sector has carried burdens no partner in development should carry alone: avoidable accidents, mercury contamination, poor mineral accountability, and exclusion from capital,” he said. “The principle of the Responsible Small-Scale Mining Programme we celebrate today was designed to close that gap.”
Under four pillars—safety, technical capability, environmental stewardship, and financial formalisation—300 miners received certificates that Kambamura described as “a passport for marriage,” indicating that his ministry takes the certification seriously as a prerequisite for formal operation.
In a major policy announcement, the Minister revealed that his ministry will soon introduce mining development officers positioned in each mining district across the country.
“Very soon, my ministry is coming up with an extended structure mirroring the tight domain of agriculture,” he said. “We are going to come up with mining development officers who will be positioned in each mining district to monitor, share expertise on mining, and also educate our miners on mining standards, mineral accountability, and other technical issues. It’s now time that we mine responsibly.”
He added that the programme witnessed in Chegutu serves as a blueprint for mobile mining schools that will be rolled out nationally across all provinces, including Mashonalands, Matabelelands, the Midlands, Manicaland, and Masvingo.
Formalisation a key pillar of Vision 2030
Kambamura underscored the strategic importance of the ASM sector, noting that it consistently delivers more than 60% of gold to Fidelity Gold Refinery and sustains hundreds of thousands of livelihoods.
“The artisanal small-scale mining sector is no longer a peripheral activity in our economy,” he said. “When we speak of the US$4 billion mining economy, when we speak of Vision 2030, and when we speak of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), we are speaking of a future that cannot be built without this subsector.”
He reaffirmed the Second Republic’s commitment, under President Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, to formalising the ASM sector, calling it “a work in progress.”
Addressing the 300 graduates directly, the Minister said they were leaving with both knowledge and an obligation.
“The obligation to mine responsibly, to mine safely, avoiding substandard practices. The obligation to formalise, even when the informal path seems much easier. You are also obligated to share what you have learned with the colleague next to you, the young person in your village, and other colleagues.”
Today, we gather in Hwange and other places across the country with pride and purpose to commemorate the International Workers Day under the powerful theme: Empowering Workers – Empowering Voices.
This day is not just a celebration. It is a reminder of our shared struggle, our resilience, and our unwavering commitment to justice, dignity, and fair treatment for every worker in Zimbabwe’s mining sector and beyond.
It is historic that this year, our union holds its main Workers Day commemorations here in Hwange for the first time, Hwange is not just a place – it is a symbol of the sweat, sacrifice, and strength of mine workers who power our nation.
Today, we honour you.
We extend our appreciation to Lyeja FM for agreeing to celebrate their own achievements with mine workers today – here in Hwange. Dear partner, we congratulate you for your achievements and we look forward to continue working with you as we empower workers and empower voices.
As ZDAMWU, we believe we have entered into a strategic partnership which will serve as a vital platform for mine workers and our communities. This partnership will give our members a dedicated voice on the airwaves – ensuring that the stories, struggles, and victories of mine workers are heard in every home, compound, and community where our members live and work.
Lyeja FM as a Community Radio Station, will serve as a platform for workers’ education, health and safety awareness, legal rights information, CBA updates, and community solidarity. A worker who is informed is a worker who is protected. We commend all those whose dedication and vision made this community radio commissioning a reality and we stand together in unity and reflection with profound respect and unwavering solidarity.
Comrades, this year’s celebrations come at a pivotal moment in our union’s journey. Last year, we celebrated our hard-won inclusion in the National Employment Council (NEC) for the mining industry—a milestone achieved amid competition from numerous longstanding and emerging unions. Today, we celebrate a significant impact of our inclusion – the achievement of our new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), now gazetted under SI 71 of 2026. This replaces the outdated 1990 agreement and introduces stronger worker protections across the mining industry. This is a victory born out of unity, persistence, and constructive negotiation. It is proof that when workers stand with a strong voice and engage meaningfully with employers, progress is possible.
However, let us be clear: this is not the end of the journey. It is a step forward. Through continued dialogue and partnership, much work still lies ahead to fully realise fair conditions across all mining operations.
Fellow workers, as our nation aspires to become an upper middle-income economy, the union stand firm on the issue of decent work and a living wage.
Mine workers remain central to Zimbabwe’s economic lifeblood. As the engine that powers the extraction of our nation’s mineral wealth, they are essential stakeholders whose welfare must be prioritised by both government and employers.
Mine workers must not remain poor while they generate wealth. A worker who cannot afford basic needs is a worker whose dignity has been compromised. Through our participation in the National Employment Council and dialogue with cooperating employers, we are continuing with our mission to ensure wages reflect the true cost of living.
We reiterate our call in the industry for a minimum wage of US$650:00, reflecting the dangerous nature of mining work and the soaring value of the minerals they extract every day. We believe these targets are achievable through constructive negotiation and mutual commitment to workers’ welfare.
Further, as we are pushing to achieve this basic pay, we are also looking on other areas covered in Schedule F of the CBA so as to review upwards some of the allowances as well as include transport and housing allowances to cushion our workers.
We acknowledge that this process might take long but we are confident we shall achieve.
Comrades, too many of our colleagues have not returned home from work. Too many families have been shattered by preventable accidents. Too many workers continue to suffer from occupational diseases that could have been avoided.
The union’s position is that Safety in our mines is not negotiable. It is not a luxury. It is not a cost to be minimised. It is a fundamental right of every worker who descends into the earth or operates machinery to extract the wealth of our nation. Every worker deserves to return home alive, unharmed, and healthy at the end of every shift.
We call upon company management across the mining sector to make occupational health and safety their number one priority.
Let us be clear: investing in safety is investing in productivity. A safe worker is a confident worker. A confident worker is a productive worker. When management prioritises safety, they are not just protecting lives – they are building a more efficient, sustainable, and profitable operation. This is not a zero-sum game. Everyone wins when workers go home safely.
This means:
Providing adequate and quality Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to every worker without exception – not as a favour, but as a basic requirement
Conducting regular and thorough safety inspections with worker participation and transparency
Implementing comprehensive training programs for all workers on safety protocols, hazard identification, and emergency response
Installing and maintaining modern safety equipment, ventilation systems, and early warning mechanisms in all mining operations
Ensuring regular medical examinations and health monitoring for early detection of occupational diseases such as silicosis, tuberculosis, and hearing loss
Creating transparent reporting systems where workers can raise safety concerns without fear of victimisation
Investigating every accident thoroughly with worker representatives and implementing corrective measures immediately
We are ready to work hand-in-hand with management to develop and implement comprehensive safety programs. Worker representatives must be included in safety committees at every level. Workers know the ground reality – their voices and expertise are invaluable in identifying hazards and developing practical solutions.
Comrades, allow me to extend this message to company management across Zimbabwe’s mining sector. Progressive trade unions like ZDAMWU are your stakeholders, not your enemies. We are partners in building a thriving mining industry, not obstacles to progress.
ZDAMWU does not exist to create problems. We exist to solve them – together with you. When workers are treated fairly, respected, and safe, they are more motivated, more loyal, and more productive. When workers have a voice through their union, grievances are addressed before they escalate into costly litigation.
A strong union is a sign of a healthy workplace, not a threat. Where there is constructive engagement between management and workers’ representatives, there is stability. Where there is dialogue, there is mutual understanding. Where there is partnership, there is progress.
ZDAMWU stands ready to build constructive relationships with all mining companies. We bring to the table our commitment to productive dialogue, our understanding of industry challenges, and our expertise in worker welfare. We want to work with you to create workplaces that are safe, fair, and prosperous for all. Let us build together.
To every mine worker listening today – whether you are here in Hwange, in Zvishavane or in Mutoko, in gold mines, lithium mines or in any operation across Zimbabwe – we say: your voice matters. But your voice is stronger when it joins with others.
When you join ZDAMWU, you are not just joining a union. You are joining a family of mine workers and becoming a legacy mine worker.
We have already achieved significant victories together, we need every mine worker to join us. The stronger our membership, the stronger our voice at the negotiating table. The more united we are, the more we can achieve as a family.
To our existing members: thank you for your loyalty and your solidarity. Keep recruiting. Bring your colleagues into the fold. Every new member strengthens our voices. Every voice that joins the chorus makes our song louder and impossible to ignore. Unity is our strongest defence.
As I conclude, comrades, let me be clear, ZDAMWU is not just talking – we are acting.
Let there be no doubt: ZDAMWU is here, and ZDAMWU is delivering. We are here today, standing on the ground of Hwange – And we will continue to be here – in your mines, at the negotiating table, in forums with employers, in dialogue with regulators, and on the international stage – until every mine worker in Zimbabwe lives and works in dignity.
As your General Secretary, I reaffirm our union’s commitment to:
Defending workers’ rights through constructive engagement and dialogue,
Strengthening collective bargaining at every level with all stakeholders,
Promoting safe, healthy, and humane working conditions through partnership,
Ensuring that no worker is left behind through inclusive participation in development processes,
Building bridges between workers and management for sustainable industrial relations.
Forward with workers’ rights!
Forward with unity!
Forward with safety!
Happy Workers’ Day to you all.
Zimbabwe Diamond and Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU)
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reassigned Mr Pfungwa Kunaka from his role as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
The reassignment takes effect on 1 May 2026, marking a key administrative shift within government leadership.
The development was confirmed in an official statement issued by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Martin Rushwaya.
The government of Zimbabwe, on 25 February 2026, in an ambitious drive, banned the export of raw lithium.
Dr Hoitsimolimo Mutlokwa
This ban also applies to lithium that has already been extracted and is in transit to the exit borders of Zimbabwe, or to the ports of Beria or Durban, for export to China. As of 08 April 2025, the Zimbabwe government, amongst other conditions, gave mining companies terms to ensure that they set up lithium sulphate plants subject to the standard approval of the minister by 01 January 2027. As mining is Zimbabwe’s second-largest contributor, it cannot be ignored that protecting other natural resources and habitats throughout the entire value chain is essential to ensure Zimbabwe gains significantly from lithium mining. China is dominant. Chinese firms are the dominant investors in the extraction of lithium hard rock in Zimbabwe and in the processing of such rock into lithium spodumene.
Lessons From the Devastation of Water Resources in the Extraction of Other Minerals
Zimbabwe is battling with illegal artisanal and formalised small-scale miners who have compromised the main river sources and tributaries feeding dams that supply water to large populations. Artisanal mining has caused stream diversions and heavy siltation in the receiving dams of rivers where such mining is taking place. For instance, the country received three times the average rainfall, yet some dams have barely reached reasonable capacity. For the first time, the nation has failed to reach 100% capacity in some of its largest dams due to low water levels. Mazowe dam, Upper Ncema dam, Lower Ncema dam, and Umzingwane dam are examples of the crisis mining poses to the indirect, intentional and unintentional sabotage of scarce water resources as a result of artisanal mining. This must be an alarm bell that rings down the strategic planning for tapping present water sources to process extracted hard rock to obtain lithium spodumene.
High Water Use in Lithium Processing
Lithium in Zimbabwe is entirely extracted from hard rock and processed into lithium spodumene. This process of hard rock extraction requires about 80,000 litres per tonne of hard rock ore to produce spodumene concentrate. For a country with agricultural regions 4 to 5, where more than half of the lithium mines are located in semi-arid areas, this high water requirement creates tension with scarce water resources, which must be used sparingly. Especially in a country plagued by ruthless dry seasons and erratic rainfall.
Chinese Dominance in Lithium Infrastructure Investments
Presently, the majority of investment in lithium mining comes from Chinese foreign investors who set up all three existing lithium processing plants, with a fourth currently under construction. The first being the Arcadia lithium plant in Harare, and the second being the Bikita lithium mine in Masvingo. The most recently completed one is the Gwanda Lithium plant, located about 80 km south of Gwanda town. This Gwanda lithium plant was completed in March 2025. It is expected to produce 200,000 tonnes of lithium concentrate annually. The fourth plant is currently under construction in Sandawana, in the Midlands province, and will also process large quantities of ore presently transported to the Gwanda lithium mine to produce lithium concentrate.
Urgent Need for Water Infrastructure and Dam Investment
Fortunately, the past two rainfall seasons, 2024/2025 and 2025/2026, have blessed Zimbabwe with above-average rainfall, with some major dams already spilling. However, on closer inspection, some dams near mining activity have less water. While the water use process in lithium extraction differs from that in gold extraction, the primary negative impact is the disturbance of delicate water systems.
Another factor to be taken into account is that the Zimbabwean government has banned the export of spodumene lithium (raw lithium) in order to ensure that added value to lithium is done within Zimbabwe. The government of Zimbabwe anticipates that domestic industries will be formed to produce end products, such as lithium batteries and possibly electric vehicles, for both domestic and foreign markets. For proper profits and benefits in the form of tax from exports to be realised, this would require the current electricity output to increase by 4 to 5 times without disrupting supply for other uses, such as household supply and other sectors of the economy. Lake Kariba’s electricity output is currently shared with Zambia, and additional water pumping would compromise the delicate dam levels, which last reached 100% capacity in 1963. Presently, Lake Kariba is only 17.47% full.
Essentially, this piece argues that industrialising lithium manufacturing to produce end products cannot be achieved overnight. But it would need to be done gradually without compromising the already delicate water resources that both commercial and subsistence farmers depend on for their livelihoods.
Such incomplete dam projects, which need massive financial capital that Zimbabwe does not readily have access to, that come to mind are the Gwayi Shangani Dam and Thuli Manyange Dam. These dams, if completed, can supply piped water to existing lithium mines, with proper plans in place to ensure wastewater from lithium plants does not compromise local water sources. Water can be piped to existing lithium plants, namely the Gwanda lithium plants and Kamativi lithium mine or Zulu mine. Zimbabwe has the largest inland dam, the Tokwe Mukosi dam, which is heavily underutilised. This could be a water source for the upcoming lithium plant in Sandawana without putting pressure on nearby water sources around the mine.
Outlook
Evidently, Zimbabwe needs to invest heavily in water resources and water infrastructure. The ambitious drive to ban lithium exports indicates that Zimbabwe is not ready to achieve its immediate goal of profiting heavily from lithium end products manufactured within its borders.The current state of water resources and water infrastructure is not adequate to ensure full beneficiation. Furthermore, current water resources have not been fully tapped due to insufficient investment in water infrastructure. A starting point would be a clear plan to draw piped water from dams such as Tokwe Mukosi to supply mines such as Sandawana and Bikita lithium, enabling full beneficiation. Zimbabwe needs to strike a balance between reforming its water laws and investing in water infrastructure to ensure the process succeeds without violating human rights.
Short Biography
Dr Hoitsimolimo Mutlokwa is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Mineral & Energy Resources Law in Africa, University of Cape Town, Faculty of Law, Department of Private Law
In an effort to ensure artisanal and small-scale miners are integrated into the formal economy rather than treated as illegal intruders, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of Mutapa Gold Resources, Patrick Maseva-Shayawabaya, on Thursday declared that the era of using drones to chase miners away from gold sites is over, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Speaking at the graduation ceremony of 300 artisanal miners at Magandi Park in Chegutu on 30 April 2026, Maseva-Shayawabaya said the certification of the first cohort, part of a programme targeting 1,500 miners, was “not just a graduation ceremony; it is a statement of intent that Zimbabwe can grow its gold production responsibly, safely, and inclusively while protecting the environment and improving livelihoods in our communities.”
The event marked a major milestone in Mutapa Gold Resources’ drive to formalise the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector, which now contributes nearly 75% of Zimbabwe’s gold output.
Maseva-Shayawabaya, who officially takes over the reins from outgoing CEO Trevor Barnard on Friday (1 May), used his first major public address to outline a fundamental shift in how large-scale miners relate to ASMs.
“Gone are the days when we used to have drones just to spot where the artisanal miners are so that we could chase them away,” he said. “We now see them as partners.”
The new CEO revealed that Mutapa Gold Resources is already replicating its Elvington artisanal mining model, a structured approach that supports miners to work legally, safely, and productively, at Jena Mines in the Midlands and at Phoenix Prince in Bindura.
“When we speak about formalisation of artisanal mining, we are not speaking about removing miners from the money chain,” he emphasised. “We are speaking about making them work safer, more profitably, more organised, and more sustainable.”
Mutapa Gold Resources is a leading gold-producing group owned by the Mutapa Investment Fund, Zimbabwe’s sovereign wealth fund, and was formerly Kuvimba Mining House before the fund restructured its mining assets portfolio.
The company operates across the country: Freda Rebecca and Shamva gold mines in Mashonaland Central, Jena Mines in the Midlands, and assets in the Kwekwe area. Combined, the three main operations employ just under 4,000 people and produce an average of 300 kilograms of gold per month.
The CEO detailed how the training programme, delivered in partnership with the Zimbabwe School of Mines, addresses real constraints in the ASM sector.
“It strengthens safety and occupational health practices to reduce accidents and loss of life. It improves technical capability, which enhances productivity. It builds environmental stewardship so that the environment is protected for future generations. It supports financial formalisation so that miners can access banking and grow from subsistence to sustainable enterprises,” he said.
Maseva-Shayawabaya stressed that formalisation benefits all stakeholders: for government, compliance and orderly production; for communities, decent work and reduced conflict; for investors, predictable operations; and for miners, “a pathway to dignity, safety, skills, and long-term prosperity.”
“Our message is therefore simple,” Maseva-Shayawabaya said. “Formalisation of artisanal mining is not an event. It is a process that needs partnership.”
He committed Mutapa Gold Resources to continuing work with government, local authorities, traditional leaders, the Zimbabwe School of Mines, financing and technical partners (including Magaya Mining School of Mines), and the miners themselves “to build a model that can be replicated in other districts.”
Addressing the 300 graduates, he said: “Congratulations on your success. You are ambassadors for responsible mining in your families, your communities, and to the rest of Zimbabwe.”
A new quartz mining venture is taking shape in Headlands, with a consortium of South Korean investors partnering with local businessman Shelton Lucas to develop the Silver Lakes Quartz Project, located about five kilometres from Inyathi Mine, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
In a formal request submitted to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Silver Lakes has sought expedited processing of its mining licence application, citing a strategic foreign direct investment commitment that includes a US$2 million pledge towards community development initiatives in the surrounding areas.
The proposed project aligns with Zimbabwe’s broader strategy to attract responsible mineral resource investment while ensuring that local communities benefit directly from mining-led growth. According to the submission, the South Korean partners’ contribution would support socio-economic upliftment through infrastructure upgrades, job creation, skills transfer, and welfare programmes.
“This represents a mutually beneficial partnership that aligns with the Government of Zimbabwe’s objectives of attracting foreign direct investment, promoting responsible mineral resource development, and ensuring inclusive community participation,” the application noted.
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development is assessing the request. Industry observers view the Silver Lakes project as a potential catalyst for further downstream industrial activity, given quartz’s applications in glassmaking, ferroalloys, and silicon production. Headlands, already home to established mining operations, stands to gain additional economic activity should the licence be granted.
No timeline for a decision has been announced, but the investors have indicated readiness to provide any further documentation required to facilitate the approval process.
First-quarter production among Zimbabwe’s three largest platinum group metal minersdelivered a mixed picture, with Zimplats extending its output lead while Mimosa and Unki both posted declines amid power disruptions and planned lower-grade ore sequencing, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Zimplats, the country’s biggest PGM producer, boosted 6E concentrate volumes by 18% year-on-year to 159,000 ounces in the three months ended March 31, 2026, as improved mechanised fleet availability and higher open-pit volumes drove milled throughput 15% higher. The gain came despite a 3% regression in milled grade to 3.28 grams per tonne 6E, reflecting increased contributions from lower-grade South Pit ore and dilution from geological structures. The strong concentrate performance was partially offset by a 45% slump in matte production to 76,000 6E ounces after furnace maintenance during the quarter disrupted smelting. Tapping was reinitiated in mid-March, and Zimplats expects to deplete an accumulated concentrate stockpile of around 63,000 6E ounces over the remainder of the 2026 financial year.
Mimosa’s performance weakened, with 6E concentrate production falling 2% to 58,000 ounces as sporadic regional power disruptions impeded operating momentum. Milled volumes slipped 1% to 688,000 tonnes, while head grade declined 2% to 3.55 grams per tonne 6E due to complex ground conditions and changing ore mineralogy. Process stability and yield were particularly challenged by the power interruptions, and for the nine months through March, cumulative concentrate output dropped 4% to 181,000 ounces compared with the prior comparable period.
Unki recorded a 4% decline in PGM production to 51,700 ounces, reflecting planned mining of lower-grade ore as part of normal mine sequencing, according to a separate report from the operation. The decline at Unki contrasted with the broader performance of its parent group, which saw total 5E plus gold metal-in-concentrate production rise 7% to 743,500 ounces, supported by stronger own-mined output and increased third-party concentrate purchases. Refined output jumped 78% to 778,500 ounces, aided by a decision to shift planned maintenance and stock counts from the first to the third quarter.
The divergent quarterly performances underscore the varying pressures facing Zimbabwe’s PGM sector. Zimplats is positioned to rebound in the coming months with its smelting bottleneck cleared, while Mimosa grapples with a maturing orebody and an unreliable national grid. Unki is advancing a 10.6-megawatt solar plant, expected to come online by mid-2026, as the first phase of a larger photovoltaic project aimed at reducing dependence on ZESA, whose supply struggles have seen mining sector electricity demand reach about 2,600 megawatts against constrained generation. An average realised basket price of R47,529 per ounce, the highest since the second quarter of 2021, is providing some revenue relief even as production trajectories diverge.
Ndlovu, currently an independent non-executive director, will take over after the AGM on May 5, 2026; Kelly remains on board as a non-executive director.
Gold-focused miner Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc has announced that July Ndlovu, currently an independent non-executive director, will become the new Chairman of the Board, succeeding John Kelly as part of the company’s planned succession process, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Kelly, who joined the Board in May 2012 and has served as Chairman for the past three years, will step down from the role effective at the end of the Annual General Meeting to be held on May 5, 2026. He will continue to serve as a non-executive director, subject to his re-election by shareholders at the AGM, ensuring continuity and the ongoing benefit of his experience.
Ndlovu’s appointment as Chairman is subject to election by the Board immediately following the AGM, in accordance with the annual Chairman election process. An official announcement confirming the new Chairman will accompany the results of the AGM.
During Kelly’s tenure as Chairman, he guided the Board through a significant period of transition at Caledonia, overseeing continued operational delivery at Blanket Mine while supporting the advancement of the company’s growth strategy, including the development of the Bilboes gold project.
“It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman over the past three years and to have supported the Company through a period of significant transition and change,” said John Kelly. “Caledonia is well positioned for the future, underpinned by the strong performance of Blanket Mine and the progress being made towards Caledonia’s next phase of growth. I have no doubt that July, as Chairman, will enhance the prospects for our continued success. I look forward to continuing to support the Board and management as a non-executive director and to working closely with the new Chairman.”
July Ndlovu brings extensive board experience to the role.
“I am honoured to be considered for the role of Chairman at an important point in the Company’s development. The business has strong operating foundations and a compelling growth opportunity in the Bilboes project, which has the potential to take Caledonia into its next stage of growth.
“I would also like to thank John, on behalf of the Board, for his leadership and guidance as Chairman. I am very pleased that he will continue to serve as a non-executive director, and I look forward to working closely with him, the Board, and the management team to help guide the Company through this next phase and to deliver long-term value for shareholders.”
Mark Learmonth, Chief Executive Officer of Caledonia, added: “On behalf of the Board and management team, I would like to thank John for his contribution and counsel over many years, and particularly for his stewardship as Chairman over the past three years during a period of change for the Company. His guidance and focus on governance and strategic progress have been invaluable, and I am glad that he intends to remain on the Board. I look forward to working closely with July once he is formally elected by the Board as Chairman as we continue to advance Caledonia’s strategy, including the development of the Bilboes project.”
The leadership transition comes as Caledonia continues to advance its Bilboes gold project in Zimbabwe, having recently appointed Stanbic and CBZ as co-lead arrangers for a US$150 million interim funding facility. The company also reported first-quarter 2026 production of 14,767 ounces at Blanket Mine, maintaining full-year guidance of 72,000 to 76,500 ounces.
Victoria Falls Stock Exchange-listed miner Kavango Resources produced 23.4kg of gold from its Hillside Project in the year to December 2025, reflecting a transitional operating model that still leans heavily on artisanal mining while laying the groundwork for scale, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Ryan Chigoche
Production during the year was largely underpinned by third-party material, with artisanal ore accounting for the bulk of output, complemented by smaller contributions from company-mined ore at Bill’s Luck Mine and reprocessing of residual sands.
The production profile highlights the current structure at Hillside: a hybrid system where Kavango processes a mix of its own ore and material sourced from small-scale miners, capturing additional value through downstream treatment of sands.
Attention is now shifting towards scaling up operations at Bill’s Luck Mine, which management sees as central to future production growth.
“At Bill’s Luck, following publication of the preliminary JORC Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) in February 2026, Kavango is evaluating an increase in processing capacity and is focused on commissioning its 50 tonne-per-day (tpd) pilot carbon-in-pulp (CIP) gold processing plant, expected in Q2 2026. The team is now working on a scoping study to upgrade the plant to 250 t/d,” said Peter Wynter Bee, the current Chairman and Interim Chief Executive.
The forward plan signals a shift towards greater operational control, with Bill’s Luck expected to anchor future ore supply as Kavango builds out its own mining base.
At present, processing capacity remains relatively limited, centred on stamp milling and supplementary circuits inherited with the project. These facilities have enabled steady, if modest, production, but also constrain throughput and recovery efficiency.
The commissioning of a dedicated processing plant is expected to mark a turning point. The initial 50 tonne-per-day CIP unit, scheduled to come online in the second quarter of 2026, will introduce a continuous processing circuit, positioning the company to move beyond intermittent, small-scale recovery.
From there, the focus shifts to scale. Internal studies are already examining an expansion to 250 tonnes per day, a level that would materially increase output and begin to reposition Hillside as a more consistent gold producer.
Delivering that growth will depend on securing reliable feedstock.
Development work at Bill’s Luck is advancing to support this, with efforts focused on opening up deeper sections of the mine and preparing for sustained stoping.
In parallel, Kavango is assessing additional sources of ore within the broader licence area to supplement supply as throughput increases.
Geology remains a key part of the investment case. Bill’s Luck is a historically producing asset with structurally controlled mineralisation, and current work is aimed at better defining the resource and identifying extensions that could support longer-term mining.
The wider Hillside Project, which covers a significant portion of the Filabusi Greenstone Belt, provides further exploration upside, although the immediate priority remains converting existing resources into production.
While the 2025 output is modest, it marks an operational foothold and also provides a base from which Kavango is now looking to scale, shifting from a reliance on artisanal throughput towards a more conventional mining and processing model anchored on its own assets.
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