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Muriel Mine Hydrosluicing: How a mine in Zimbabwe is Turning Tailings Into Gold

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Muriel Mine Hydrosluicing: How a mine in Zimbabwe is Turning Tailings Into Gold

Pan African-owned Muriel Mine has turned a legacy tailings storage facility into a profitable production asset through a carefully engineered hydrosluicing and carbon-in-leach process. With the dump now in its final five months of life, the operation offers a textbook case of efficient surface mining, water recycling, and integrated processing, all while funding a major exploration drive that has extended the mine’s underground life to five years.

The following technical overview, compiled from presentations made during an Association of Mine Managers of Zimbabwe (AMMZ) technical visit, details every stage of the process. Webster Chemhuru, Senior Plant Metallurgist, led the delegation through the hydrosluicing and processing circuits, while specialised contractor BillNick Engineering provided additional insights into the hydrosluicing system and tailings management.

Water Sourcing and Storage

The hydrosluicing operation relies on a dual-source water supply. Sixty per cent of the water comes from Chawara Dam, located approximately four to five kilometres from the mine and shared with local farmers. The remaining forty per cent is recycled water drawn from the active tailings storage facility. This water is detoxified to break down residual cyanide before reuse, reducing both fresh water consumption and the operation’s environmental footprint.

Water is first stored in a 10,000-cubic-metre tank. From there, it is fed into a high-pressure system where pumps deliver water to the hydrosluicing monitor at pressures of 1,500 to 1,800 kilopascals at the nozzle.

Hydrosluicing (Hydro-Mining)

The dump, a consolidated legacy tailings deposit, is broken down using a water jet monitor. The high-pressure stream mixes with the tailings to form a slurry that is pumped to the plant. BillNick explained that the water jet mixes the tailings into a pumpable slurry, which is moved by variable-speed pumps to a trash screen that removes debris such as timber and old pipes. From there, the slurry flows into a surge tank before being fed directly into the processing plant.

Operational controls are critical for safety and efficiency. Because the dump material has been consolidated over decades, the mining angle is maintained between 27 and 33 degrees to prevent slope failure, a phenomenon known as “sloughing.” Before each shift, crews inspect the working face for any signs of instability.

The mine is also fabricating a remote-controlled monitor in-house. Once completed, it will allow operators to work away from the face edge, improving safety and enabling higher pressures of up to 2,500 kilopascals for applications requiring denser slurries.

BillNick, which specialises in hydrosluicing and tailings management, noted that it handles everything from design and construction to operation, offering the same technology to other mining operations.

Milling and Classification

After screening, the slurry is collected in a surge tank and then distributed to the milling circuit. The plant is equipped with four 8-by-16-foot open-discharge ball mills, each fed by its own buffer tank with a volume of approximately 890 cubic metres. These buffer tanks ensure a steady feed even when the hydrosluicing rate fluctuates.

Because the dump material contains fine-grained gold locked in refractory host minerals, the target grind is 90 to 95 percent passing 75 microns, significantly finer than conventional milling. This process liberates the gold particles and exposes them to the leaching solution.

After milling, the slurry is pumped to hydrocyclone classifiers. Coarse material (cyclone underflow) is returned to the mills for further grinding, while fine material (cyclone overflow) passes through a final trash screen before flowing to the thickener.

Thickening

The thickener is a 35,000-cubic-metre unit designed to dewater the slurry from about 15 to 20 percent solids to the 50 percent solids required for the carbon-in-leach (CIL) circuit. This densification reduces the volume of liquid that must be heated and agitated during leaching, lowering operating costs.

Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) Circuit

The CIL circuit comprises ten tanks, each with a capacity of 890 cubic metres. Together, they provide approximately 36 hours of residence time. Sodium cyanide is added to dissolve gold, forming a stable cyanide complex in solution. Activated carbon is introduced simultaneously so that, as gold dissolves, it is immediately adsorbed onto the carbon.

This carbon-in-leach approach maximises recovery by keeping the dissolved gold concentration low, which drives the leaching reaction forward. Carbon moves counter-current from the last tank to the first tank, and the loaded carbon is harvested from tank number one, where gold concentration is highest.

Webster Chemhuru highlighted two significant metallurgical challenges. First, some zones in the dump contain up to 0.5 percent copper, which consumes cyanide and interferes with gold dissolution. The mine manages this through selective mining and blending high-copper material with lower-grade zones.

Second, the ore contains naturally occurring carbonaceous material that can adsorb gold directly from solution, a phenomenon known as preg-robbing. This competes with the activated carbon and reduces overall recovery. As a result, recovery rates have declined from 80 per cent in 2023 to approximately 70 to 75 per cent currently, reflecting the variable nature of the remaining dump material.

Elution and Smelting

Loaded carbon is transferred to the elution section, where gold is stripped from the carbon using a Zadra elution process. The plant has two elution vessels: one with a three-tonne capacity and another with a one-and-a-half-tonne capacity, giving a combined throughput of 4.5 tonnes of carbon per day.

The Zadra system uses a hot caustic cyanide solution to desorb gold, producing a concentrated pregnant solution that is sent to electrowinning cells. Electrowinning produces a gold-rich sludge, which is dried and smelted in the on-site smelt house once per week, producing gold doré bars.

Production figures presented during the visit show that tonnage treated grew from 200,000 tonnes in 2023 to 765,000 tonnes in 2024, reaching 1,166,000 tonnes in 2025. Gold production increased from 104 kilograms in 2023 to 425 kilograms in 2024 and 630 kilograms in 2025. In early 2026, the operation is averaging approximately 45 kilograms of gold per month.

Tailings Storage Facility

Waste material from the CIL circuit, now largely depleted of gold, is pumped to the tailings storage facility, which covers approximately 40 hectares. Water that settles on the surface is decanted and pumped back to the plant, contributing to the 40 per cent recycled water used for hydrosluicing.

Standpipes are installed around the facility to monitor the phreatic water table, ensuring structural stability. Berms and spillways are designed to contain any accidental releases, meeting environmental requirements.

Operational Risks and Mitigation

BillNick identified two major operational risks. The first is slope failure, or sloughing, which is managed by maintaining mining angles between 27 and 33 degrees and conducting pre-shift inspections. The second is high-pressure pipe failure, which can cause serious injury. Pipes are inspected regularly and repaired promptly, and the water used contains few chemicals, reducing environmental risk in the event of a spill.

From Dump to Underground

The current dump being retreated has only five months of material remaining. Revenue from the dump retreatment operation, combined with a dedicated US$20 million exploration programme, has funded a major extension of the mine’s underground life.

Exploration has extended Muriel Mine’s underground life-of-mine to five years, while the nearby Aysha deposit now holds 1.3 million ounces of resources with a projected 30-year life.

However, the newly discovered underground reefs, including the South Reef and extensions in the Fortuna and Cape Gum areas, are not yet being mined. The operation is currently constructing a crusher to process the harder primary ore from these zones, ensuring a seamless transition when the dump is exhausted.

Industry Recognition

AMMZ President Gift Mapakame praised the operation’s approach, noting that retreating materials with more efficient technologies presents an opportunity for greener mining.

“There is no mobile equipment—just pumping, processing, and tailings storage,” he said.

AMMZ Vice President George Wayeni of RZM Murowa added that revenues from the dump retreatment project are funding exploration for the future.

“Lots of other operations can take a leaf from this initiative,” he said.

Conclusion

Muriel Mine’s dump retreatment process—from hydrosluicing with high-pressure water, through fine grinding, CIL leaching, elution, smelting, and responsible tailings disposal—demonstrates how legacy tailings can be transformed into a productive, self-funding operation.

With the dump now in its final months and a crusher being built for new underground ore, the operation is well positioned to sustain production growth while maintaining the cost discipline that has made it one of Zimbabwe’s leading gold producers.

Zimbabwe’s Oil Dream on the Brink? Invictus Energy Faces High-Stakes Cash Squeeze

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Zimbabwe’s Oil Dream on the Brink? Invictus Energy Faces High-Stakes Cash Squeeze

Australia’s Invictus Energy (ASX: IVZ) is racing against a ticking financial clock. Despite a world-class discovery of oil and gas at the Mukuyu-2 well, a tightening cash squeeze and the collapse of a massive funding deal have placed Zimbabwe’s most ambitious energy project at a critical crossroads.

The $500 Million “Lifeline” That Vanished

In a major blow to investor sentiment, the US$500 million joint venture agreement with Qatar-based Al Mansour Holdings collapsed in January 2026. The deal, which would have seen the firm take a 19.9% stake in Invictus, was seen as the definitive “green light” for the Cabora Bassa Basin.

Without this capital, a significant funding gap has opened just as the project moves into the expensive appraisal and early development phases.

By the Numbers: A Tightening Cash Position

According to recent financial reports, the “burn rate” for exploration is hitting hard:

  • Half-Year Loss: A$4.23 million (up 27.6% from the previous year).

  • Cash Reserves: A$4.51 million remaining as of late 2025.

  • The Runway: At current spending levels, Invictus has approximately six months of operations covered before needing a new equity injection or a strategic partner.

National Project Status: A Silver Lining?

While the balance sheet is under pressure, the geological and political support for the project remains ironclad. In September 2025, the Zimbabwean government granted the project National Project Status, providing:

  • Duty Exemptions: Drastically lowering the cost of importing specialized drilling equipment.

  • Strategic Security: Exclusive Prospecting Orders (EPOs) extended through 2028.

The Eureka Pilot: Proving the Concept

Invictus isn’t standing still. A pilot project is already underway to supply gas to the Eureka Gold Mine.

  • Phase 1: 12 MW of gas-to-power electricity.

  • Phase 2: Potential expansion to 50 MW. This move is critical. If Invictus can prove that Mukuyu’s gas can power a Zimbabwean mine, it becomes an “investment-ready” asset for a major International Oil Company (IOC).

How Caledonia Mining Slashed Diesel Reliance to 2% Amid Global Fuel Volatility

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How Caledonia Mining Slashed Diesel Reliance to 2% Amid Global Fuel Volatility

GWANDA – Multi-listed gold producer Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc has reached a major sustainability milestone, reducing its reliance on diesel for power generation to just 2% of total electricity consumption in 2025. This is a significant drop from 8% in 2020, as the company aggressively moves to insulate its operations from fuel price volatility and supply chain disruptions.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Breaking the Diesel Dependency

Caledonia’s diesel consumption now accounts for less than 3% of total operating costs, with annual usage averaging approximately two million litres. To ensure operational continuity, the company has secured a strategic buffer of over one million litres of fuel, providing a safeguard against short-term market shocks.

This sharp reduction in dependency follows the successful commissioning of solar power capacity, which now meets approximately 20% of the total power requirements at Blanket Mine. The remaining energy is drawn from Zimbabwe’s national grid.

The $14.2 Million Power Backbone

The company’s most ambitious infrastructure investment to date is a US$14.2 million project to construct a 34-kilometre electricity line. This dedicated link will connect Blanket Mine directly to Zimbabwe’s 132 kV backbone.

Key benefits of the project include:

  • Reduced Costs: Lowering the blended price of power received from the grid.
  • Reliability: Significantly reducing the frequency of power outages that previously forced the use of expensive backup diesel generators.
  • Production Boost: The improved reliability is expected to increase gold output by approximately 1,000 ounces per annum.

“The study for this project has been completed, and the Board has approved US$14.2 million for its execution. Work is expected to commence immediately, with completion slated for the second quarter of 2027,” Caledonia stated in its preliminary results.

Engineering for Efficiency

In tandem with the grid project, Caledonia has approved a US$2.2 million initiative to convert the winder at Blanket’s Central Shaft from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). Scheduled for late 2026, this technical upgrade is expected to deliver annual cost savings of roughly US$600,000.

Geopolitical Resilience

Despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East, Caledonia reports zero impact on its operations. Zimbabwe’s dual sourcing of fuel from both the Middle East and South Africa provides a diversified supply chain that shields the miner from regional instability. Furthermore, Caledonia continues to route its exported gold through South Africa, ensuring a steady and uninterrupted revenue stream.

By combining renewable energy, massive infrastructure investment, and strategic stockpiling, Caledonia is setting a high bar for operational resilience in the Southern African mining sector.

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 23 March 2026

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Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 23 March 2026

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 23 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 above129.744,034.30
SG 85% and above but below 90%128.373,992.10
SG 80% and above but below 85%127.003,949.14
SG 75% and above but below 80%125.623,906.20
Sample 5g and above but below 10g123.563,842.80
Fire Assay CASH130.434,056.06

 

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.

Beijing Breaks Silence: Comply with Zimbabwe’s Laws or Face the Losses

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Beijing Breaks Silence: Comply with Zimbabwe’s Laws or Face the Losses

Beijing has moved to tighten discipline among its lithium investors in Zimbabwe, warning companies to strictly comply with local laws or risk significant financial losses in an increasingly unpredictable policy environment.

A Formal Advisory from the Embassy

In a formal advisory issued by the Chinese Embassy in Harare, Chinese enterprises and nationals were urged to strengthen risk prevention measures and fully align their operations with Zimbabwe’s regulatory framework. The notice follows the government’s recent sweeping ban on lithium concentrate exports.

The advisory makes it clear that the burden of risk now sits squarely with the investors. Companies are being told to:

  • Thoroughly assess Zimbabwe’s policy environment before committing capital.
  • Ensure strict legal compliance during all phases of operation.
  • Prepare for financial losses arising from “sudden policy changes.”

This blunt language serves as a pointed reminder that regulatory shifts in the region can no longer be treated as exceptional events, but as a standard cost of doing business.

The “Sudden” Export Ban

The guidance comes just weeks after Zimbabwe imposed an immediate and indefinite ban on the export of raw minerals, including lithium spodumene concentrate. Authorities stated the move was necessary to curb smuggling and force the sector toward local beneficiation (processing).

Announced by Mines Minister Polite Kambamura on February 25, 2026, and later approved by the Cabinet, the ban was enforced with unusual speed. It applies even to shipments already at the border. Exports are now strictly limited to companies with approved in-country processing facilities and compliant mining titles.

The Stake: $1.4 Billion and Growing

For Chinese firms, which dominate Zimbabwe’s lithium sector, the shift has triggered an abrupt and costly adjustment. Since 2021, Chinese investors have poured more than US$1.4 billion into Zimbabwe, transforming it into Africa’s largest hard-rock lithium producer.

Industry titans—including Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, Sinomine Resource Group, Chengxin Lithium, and Yahua Industrial—now control the bulk of production, supplying a significant share of China’s global spodumene imports. However, this dominance has not shielded them from the new regulatory risks.

A New Era of “Financial Discipline”

The embassy’s advisory stops short of criticising Zimbabwe’s policy direction, but the message is firm: adapt or suffer. It signals a shift in Beijing’s overseas investment strategy—moving away from aggressive expansion toward a model defined by risk awareness and legal caution.

“Investors shall conduct a comprehensive and in-depth assessment… so as to avoid losses resulting from government policy changes,” the embassy stated.

Market Impact

In the short term, the export ban has halted shipments and tightened the supply into China, providing some support for global lithium prices. However, for operators on the ground in Zimbabwe, the immediate challenge is not market volatility—it is the high cost of non-compliance under Beijing’s watchful eye.

How Zimbabwe’s Muriel Mine Turned “Waste” into a 20,000oz Gold Success Story

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How Zimbabwe’s Muriel Mine Turned “Waste” into a 20,000oz Gold Success Story

In an era where resource depletion threatens traditional mining, Pan African’s Muriel Mine has emerged as a masterclass in operational revival. By combining high-tech hydrosluicing, tailings retreatment, and aggressive exploration, the mine has transitioned from a three-month life expectancy to a 30-year horizon. The Association of Mine Managers of Zimbabwe (AMMZ) is now calling this strategy the “template” for a greener, more sustainable mining economy.

The AMMZ has commended Pan African’s Muriel Mine for its successful dump retreatment operation and exploration-driven revival, with industry leaders noting that the approach offers a template for other mining operations facing resource depletion, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking to this publication on the sidelines of a technical visit to the Banket-based mine, AMMZ President Gift Mapakame highlighted the significance of retreating historical tailings using efficient technologies while reducing the carbon footprint of mining operations.

“When we thought that we were depleting our resources, we were not fully utilising our resources as we have seen,” Mapakame said. “We have always been mining, but we still have an opportunity to have greener mining operations, a greener mining economy, by going and retreating materials with more efficient technologies. There is no mobile equipment—just pumping and processing and then tailings storage.”

Mapakame also noted the importance of leadership investing in all facets of the industry, including exploration and even insurance partnerships, to sustain operations.

George Waeni, AMMZ Vice President and a representative of RZM Murowa, described the visit as “quite an insightful engagement,” noting that Muriel Mine has breathed new life into the operation by utilising dumps that would otherwise have been written off.

“They have done well to do that,” Waeni said. “Revenues now coming from this project are funding exploration for the future. We see that future manifesting into a reality because they are now going to start construction of the front end of the plant. It’s a very good initiative that we see, and lots of other operations that we have seen over the years can actually take a leaf from this initiative and generate revenues that can be used to sustain businesses.”

Muriel Mine’s hydrosluicing operation, which uses high-pressure water jets to break down consolidated tailings, is now in its final five months, Resident Engineer Takudzwa Kaisi told the delegation. The operation has treated 1.166 million tonnes in 2025, up from 200,000 tonnes in 2023, with gold production reaching 20,000 ounces (630 kilograms) last year.

Recovery rates have moderated to between 70% and 75% due to metallurgical challenges, including elevated copper levels—reaching 0.5% in some zones—and preg-robbing carbonaceous material inherent to the ore. The mine manages these issues through selective mining and blending.

Pan African invested US$20 million in exploration, extending Muriel’s underground life-of-mine from an effective three months to five years, while the nearby Aysha deposit now holds 1.3 million ounces of resources with a 30-year mine life.

Presenting the resource update, Mineral Resources Manager Racheal Goba stressed that exploration remains the lifeblood of the mine’s long-term viability. “When you stop exploring, you’re actually going to expire,” she told the delegation. “Muriel Mine is an example where exploration has been very much key to the livelihood of the mine.”

The newly delineated underground reefs, including the South Reef and extensions in the Fortuna and Cairn Gorm areas, are not yet being mined. The operation is currently constructing a crusher to process the harder primary ore from these zones, with the transition expected to follow the depletion of the dump.

Wayeni noted that the technical visit drew strong attendance, with operations from across the country participating.

“Initially we were pushing people to register, but in the end we really got a very good turnout,” he said. “We can only move forward from here. It’s good that we get to have these interactions as the Association of Mine Managers, together with all our partners.”

With gold prices remaining favourable, Waeni added that the current environment presents an opportunity for the industry to invest and grow.

“It’s the time to really go for it,” he said.

The AMMZ technical visit included presentations by Resident Engineer Takudzwa Kaisi, Senior Plant Metallurgist Webster Chemhuru, Mineral Resources Manager – Racheal Goba, the plant manager, Eng Charity Nyaruwata, and the finance manager, followed by a site tour of the hydrosluicing operation, the carbon-in-leach plant, and the tailings storage facility.

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 20 March 2026

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Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 20 March 2026

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 20 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 above140.914,382.80
SG 85% and above but below 90%139.424,336.50
SG 80% and above but below 85%137.934,280.10
SG 75% and above but below 80%136.444,242.70
Sample 5g and above but below 10g134.204,174.10
Fire Assay CASH141.664,406.10

 

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.

RBZ Flaunts ZIG Stability as Exporters Pay the Price

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RBZ Flaunts ZIG Stability as Exporters Pay the Price

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has moved to defend itself amid growing frustration from exporters over delayed payments of their surrendered foreign currency, saying the push for timely disbursements reflects increased confidence in the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) rather than need, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

This comes as the apex bank maintained the 30% export surrender requirement in this year’s monetary policy, despite failing to pay exporters their liquidated funds timeously.

The situation is most pronounced in the mining sector. Major platinum group metals exporters, including Zimplats and Unki Mines, say they are still owed US$78.1 million and US$100 million, respectively, amounts that have been accumulating since early 2025.

Rather than addressing the growing backlog, RBZ Governor Dr. John Mushayavanhu suggested that exporters’ push for timely payment reflects growing confidence in the ZiG.

“You can see that ZiG has been strengthened over the past three or so months. In the past, exporters were saying, we can surrender the foreign currency, but don’t pay us the ZiG immediately, because we know that the exchange rate is going to depreciate. But now they are saying, no, no, no, the ZiG is appreciating. We want you to pay us immediately because we will lose value if you pay us later. So what that is telling me is that there is now increased confidence in the local currency,” Mushayavanhu said.

However, exporters insist it is their money, and delays continue to strain operations, hamper cash flow, and threaten reinvestment into Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

The government’s policy requiring exporters to convert 30% of foreign currency earnings into local currency at official rates has left the sector with millions in arrears.

Industry sources say these delays expose a sector-wide cash flow crisis, with multiple producers yet to receive local currency for export earnings dating back to early 2025.

The rule, originally meant to stabilise the local currency, has instead become a systemic operational risk, hampering mining operations and highlighting the disconnect between policy intent and reality.

At the end of January, the willing buyer, willing seller exchange rate stood at 25.5 ZiG to the US dollar.

While the RBZ insists the ZiG is stabilising, analysts say this has come at the expense of exporters whose funds remain locked.

By holding back payments, the government appears to be artificially limiting local currency in circulation, fearing that a full release could flood the market and trigger depreciation.

In effect, exporters are subsidising the stability of the ZiG, raising questions about the sustainability of the policy and its impact on cash flow and operational viability in Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

Analysts warn that the RBZ’s rhetoric does little to reassure exporters, and the disconnect could have broader implications for the country’s foreign currency management.

With pressure mounting from the mining sector and other key exporters, it remains to be seen whether the RBZ will expedite payments or continue to insist that the timing of ZiG disbursements is entirely at the bank’s discretion.

Meanwhile Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) yesterday announced that all ZiG payments owed have been paid.

“We wish to advise you all that all your 10% ZWG dollar payments have been processed. If your balance isn’t reflecting yet, please contact your bank directly to check the status of the transfer,” the company said.

Today, some miners claim the funds have not yet reflected in their accounts, with some claiming to have gone for over three weeks without getting paid their ZiG.

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 19 March 2026

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Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 19 March 2026

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 19 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 above144.374,490.21
SG 85% and above but below 90%142.844,441.75
SG 80% and above but below 85%141.314,393.29
SG 75% and above but below 80%139.794,345.14
Sample 5g and above but below 10g137.494,275.08
Fire Assay CASH145.134,514.99

 

 

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.

Namib Minerals Appoints Tulani Sikwila as CEO

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Namib Minerals Appoints Tulani Sikwila as CEO

Namib Minerals has stunned the market with a sudden leadership shake-up, promoting CFO Tulani Sikwila to Chief Executive Officer effective immediately, just as the company embarks on a capital-intensive revival of its Zimbabwean gold assets, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

Can Namib Minerals successfully restart Redwing and Mazowe while managing artisanal mining pressures?

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Sikwila steps into the role following the abrupt departure of Ibrahima Sory Tall, the veteran CEO who steered the company through its historic Nasdaq listing in mid-2025. The company offered no detailed explanation, stating only that Tall is leaving to “pursue other opportunities.”

The elevation of Sikwila, a company insider with nearly two decades of tenure, signals a strategic bet on continuity and deep regional knowledge. A Chartered Accountant by profession, he brings hands-on experience across both the financial and operational dimensions of the business, having served in senior roles throughout Namib’s evolution.

“Tulani is the right leader for this next chapter,” said Molly P. Zhang, Chair of the Board, citing his financial discipline and institutional memory as critical assets as the company scales up.

Zimbabwe Assets Enter Critical Phase

Sikwila inherits a high-stakes turnaround. The company is pushing forward with a US$300 million to US$400 million strategy to transform itself into a mid-tier gold producer, with Zimbabwe as the centrepiece.

At Redwing Mine, dewatering operations kicked off on January 29, 2026, a crucial first step in reopening the long-idled asset. The eight-month process will pave the way for underground assessments and engineering studies needed to bring the mine back into production.

Meanwhile, How Mine, the company’s current cash cow, is undergoing a 36% capacity expansion, targeting a throughput increase from 40,500 tonnes per month to 55,000 tonnes. The mine delivered 33,600 ounces in 2024 and will bankroll much of the broader growth agenda. At Mazowe, attention is focused on upgrading surface infrastructure, including power and water systems, ahead of a planned restart.

To underpin the technical lift, Namib has brought in WSP to conduct S-K 1300-compliant feasibility studies for both Redwing and Mazowe, expected within 12 to 18 months. The company has also bolstered its technical leadership, appointing Antonio Nieto, a globally recognised mining technology expert, as Vice President of Technical Services.

The Artisanal Mining Dilemma

Beyond the engineering challenges, Sikwila must navigate the complex human terrain of Zimbabwe’s gold belts. Both Mazowe and Redwing have long been hotspots for artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) activity. Managing the transition back to formal, large-scale operations without alienating local communities or triggering conflict will test the new CEO’s local credentials.

In his first public remarks as CEO, Sikwila struck a conciliatory but firm tone. “Namib Minerals is well-positioned to responsibly unlock Africa’s resource potential while delivering lasting value to our investors, communities, and other stakeholders,” he said. The company has signalled it is seeking “coordinated action” with government and traditional leaders to ensure safe operations around its concessions.

Sikwila will be backed by an expanded leadership bench, including Nieto, while a search for a permanent Chief Operating Officer is underway.

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