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Shepherd Manamike elected the Mine Rescue Association of Zimbabwe (MRAZ) President

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Shepherd Manamike elected the Mine Rescue Association of Zimbabwe (MRAZ) President

GWERU, ZIMBABWE – Shepherd Manamike has been elected President of the Mine Rescue Association of Zimbabwe (MRAZ) at the association’s elective Annual General Meeting held in Gweru, marking a key leadership transition in the country’s mining safety sector.

Manamike takes over from Professor Alfred Chinyere, who has led the association during a period of increased focus on mine safety, emergency preparedness, and coordinated rescue efforts across Zimbabwe’s mining industry.

New Leadership for a Growing Mining Sector

Manamike will lead the MRAZ Working Party for the 2026–2028 term, supported by a team of experienced industry professionals drawn from leading mining institutions.

The newly elected working committee is as follows:

  • President: Shepard Manamike (Mimosa Mine)
  • Secretariat: D. D. Matyanga (Chamber of Mines)
  • National Coordinator: Patrick Hill (Blanket Mine)
  • Non-Donning Teams National Coordinator: Charles Ganduri (Zimplats Selous Metallurgical Complex)
  • South Zone Coordinator – Donning Teams: Shastry Mandoreba (Valterra Unki Mine)
  • West Zone Coordinator – Donning Teams: Shiringinyai Munotengwa (HCCL)
  • North Zone Coordinator – Donning Teams: Jonathan Mukono (Zimplats Ngezi Mining Division)
  • National Publicity Coordinator: Timothy Mapinde (Mutapa Gold Resources – Jena Mines)
  • National Trainer: Michael Ruzvidzo (AA Mines)

A Critical Transition in Mine Rescue Leadership

The election attracted key stakeholders from across Zimbabwe’s mining sector and comes at a time when the need for strong mine rescue systems, safety compliance, and emergency response readiness is becoming increasingly important.

MRAZ plays a central role in coordinating rescue operations, training mine rescue teams, and promoting best practices in handling underground emergencies such as fires, collapses, and hazardous gas incidents.

From Zone Coordinator to President

Manamike’s elevation to the presidency follows his previous role as South Zone Coordinator for Donning Teams in the outgoing 2024–2026 working party. His progression reflects continuity in leadership and deep operational experience within mine rescue structures.

Outgoing Leadership

The outgoing working party (2024–2026) was led by:

  • President: Prof. Alfred Chinyere (MGR – Freda Rebecca Mine)
  • Secretariat: D. D. Matyanga (Chamber of Mines)
  • National Coordinator: Ronald Bhunu (Zimplats Ngezi Mining Division)
  • Non-Donning Teams National Coordinator: Charles Ganduri (Zimplats Selous Metallurgical Complex)
  • South Zone Coordinator – Donning Teams: Shepard Manamike (Mimosa Mine)
  • West Zone Coordinator – Donning Teams: Patrick Hill (Blanket Mine)
  • North Zone Coordinator – Donning Teams: Anselm Mapako (MGR – Freda Rebecca)
  • National Publicity Coordinator: Emmanuel Chigwa (MGR – Mining Contracts and Projects)
  • National Trainer: Michael Ruzvidzo (AA Mines)

Outlook: Raising the Bar on Mine Safety

With Zimbabwe’s mining sector expanding rapidly—particularly in gold, lithium, and platinum—the role of MRAZ is becoming increasingly critical.

As mining activity intensifies, the new leadership is expected to play a pivotal role in ensuring that safety systems evolve in line with industry growth.

Chinese Lithium Investors Deny Smuggling, Blame Small Operators as Zimbabwe Tightens Export Controls

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Chinese Lithium Investors Deny Smuggling, Blame Small Operators as Zimbabwe Tightens Export Controls

Chinese lithium mining companies operating in Zimbabwe have dismissed allegations of smuggling, insisting they have no incentive to engage in illicit trade and are fully committed to supporting government efforts to curb mineral leakages.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

A senior official at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Zimbabwe says legitimate investors are not responsible for the country’s lithium smuggling challenges, instead pointing to small, unqualified operators as the main culprits.

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe, Second Secretary and Economic and Commercial Counsellor, Liu Yang, addressed concerns following the government’s recent ban on raw lithium exports.

“Legitimate enterprises have no need to engage in smuggling. Instead, small, unqualified enterprises exploit the documents of legitimate companies to conduct smuggling,” Liu said.

Formal Investors Focused on Long-Term Stability

Liu explained that established lithium mining companies operate with proper export documentation and are focused on protecting long-term investments rather than risking heavy penalties through illegal activities.

“During my investigation, large enterprises indicated they have proper export documents, no motive to smuggle, and cannot afford the penalties associated with being caught. They are more focused on safeguarding the investments they have already made,” he added.

Government Urged to Strengthen Enforcement

Liu emphasised that authorities have multiple opportunities to intervene and curb smuggling across different stages of the export chain.

He noted that formal mining companies are willing to cooperate with the government to eliminate illegal mineral flows, reinforcing the view that the problem lies with smaller, unregulated operators.

Zimbabwe Bans Raw Lithium Exports

On 25 February 2026, the government announced the immediate suspension of all raw mineral and lithium concentrate exports, citing widespread leakages, licence abuse, and failure to declare valuable by-products.

Ministry of Mines Permanent Secretary Pfungwa Kunaka told Parliament that investigations revealed significant losses of rare earth minerals, tantalum, and niobium, which were being exported without proper declaration.

$2 Billion Investments at Stake

Chinese investors, who dominate Zimbabwe’s lithium sector with investments exceeding US$2 billion over the past three years, are positioning themselves as partners in enforcement efforts rather than targets.

Liu’s remarks highlight a growing distinction between large, compliant mining companies and smaller operators accused of abusing temporary export permits. Government findings indicate that some licences were used multiple times by different players, facilitating leakages.

Outlook: Tightening Controls in a High-Stakes Sector

As Zimbabwe moves to tighten control over its lithium exports, the focus is shifting toward strengthening compliance, closing regulatory loopholes, and ensuring that mineral wealth is fully accounted for.

The developments come at a time when global demand for lithium continues to surge, placing Zimbabwe at the centre of the energy transition supply chain.

Dallaglio Profit Soars 147% to US$104m, Driving Padenga’s Strongest Year Since Acquisition

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Dallaglio Profit Soars 147% to US$104m, Driving Padenga’s Strongest Year Since Acquisition

Dallaglio Investments has delivered a record-breaking performance, with profit surging 147% to nearly US$104 million, as rising gold prices turned the mining unit into the main driver of Padenga Holdings’ strongest financial year since entering the sector.

By Ryan Chigoche

Dallaglio’s explosive growth highlights the increasing dominance of gold mining within Padenga Holdings, following the group’s strategic shift away from crocodile farming.

Gold Prices Fuel Massive Profit Growth

For the financial year ending December 2025, Dallaglio’s pretax profit jumped 147% to $103.99 million, up from $42.18 million the previous year, according to Padenga’s annual results.

Revenue from the mining division climbed 30% to $251.06 million, contributing a massive 94% of the group’s total sales.

At group level, Padenga’s revenue rose 26% to $265.82 million, while profit before tax from continuing operations increased 114% to $93.88 million.

The strong performance was largely driven by a sharp rise in gold prices, with Dallaglio achieving an average price of $3,448 per ounce, compared to $2,386 in 2024.

From Crocodiles to Gold: A Strategic Shift Paying Off

Padenga Holdings initially acquired a controlling 50.1% stake in Dallaglio in August 2019 as part of its diversification strategy. In 2025, the group completed the acquisition of the remaining 49.9%, making Dallaglio a wholly owned subsidiary.

The latest results confirm that mining has now become Padenga’s core business.

Strong Cash Flow and Debt Reduction

Dallaglio generated $70.75 million in operating cash flow during the year, a 68% increase from $42.08 million in 2024. This enabled the company to fully fund its capital expenditure internally while significantly reducing debt.

Borrowings at the mining unit dropped 45% to $19.22 million by year-end, while group net interest costs declined 55% to $4.07 million.

Expansion Projects to Drive Future Growth

Padenga is leveraging its stronger balance sheet to expand operations across its key mining assets.

At Pickstone Peerless Mine, the third phase of an underground expansion project was commissioned in December. The upgrade enables access to deeper ore bodies and opens new exploration drilling zones.

The company also expects to begin generating power from a 4.9-megawatt solar plant at Pickstone in the first quarter, following delays related to contracting and logistics.

At Eureka Mine, a gravity circuit upgrade is scheduled for commissioning in the second quarter. In addition, a separate 5-megawatt solar project is expected to start supplying power in the first quarter.

Outlook: Gold Driving Zimbabwe’s Mining Momentum

With gold prices remaining strong and operational efficiencies improving, Dallaglio is now firmly positioned as the growth engine of Padenga Holdings.

The results underscore a broader trend in Zimbabwe’s mining sector, where gold continues to dominate as a key driver of revenue, investment, and economic growth.

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 2 April 2026

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Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 2 April 2026

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 2 April 2026, from the official gold buyer and exporter Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR).

1 oz = 31.1035 g

CategoryPrice ($/g)Price ($/oz)
SG 90% and above137.694,282.64
SG 85% and above but below 90%136.234,237.23
SG 80% and above but below 85%134.774,191.83
SG 75% and above but below 80%133.324,146.72
Sample 5g and above but below 10g131.134,078.60
Fire Assay CASH138.424,305.34

 

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.

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 1 April 2026

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Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 1 April 2026

Gold buying prices in Zimbabwe per gram/ ounce, 1 April 2026, from the official gold buyer and exporter Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR).

1 oz = 31.1035 g

CategoryPrice ($/g)Price ($/oz)
SG 90% and above140.204,360.71
SG 85% and above but below 90%138.724,314.68
SG 80% and above but below 85%137.234,268.33
SG 75% and above but below 80%135.754,222.30
Sample 5g and above but below 10g133.524,152.94
Fire Assay CASH140.944,383.73

 

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.

China’s Lithium Companies Back Zimbabwe Export Ban as Kamativi Mine Reaches 2.3 Million Tonne Capacity

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China’s Lithium Companies Back Zimbabwe Export Ban as Kamativi Mine Reaches 2.3 Million Tonne Capacity
  • China’s Lithium Companies Ready to Cooperate with Zimbabwe Government

Chinese lithium mining companies operating in Zimbabwe are fully prepared to cooperate with government authorities on verification, sampling and investigations, the Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Zimbabwe has said.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking at a breakfast meeting on Zimbabwe’s export ban on raw minerals and lithium concentrates, organised by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO) at Holiday Inn in Harare on Tuesday, Huang Minghai outlined the ongoing investments and compliance efforts of Chinese companies in the lithium sector.

Huang emphasised that Chinese companies place significant importance on the comprehensive utilisation of mineral resources and have already undertaken investments and research in this area.

“The companies place significant importance on the comprehensive utilisation of mineral resources and have already undertaken investments and research in this area,” Huang said.

He outlined specific projects underway:

  • Bikita Minerals completed the construction of a caesium flotation plant in August 2025 and a tantalum-niobium recovery plant in December 2025.
  • Kamativi Mining Company is currently constructing a tin, tantalum, and niobium recovery system, which is expected to commence operations in September 2026.

For other associated elements found in Zimbabwe’s lithium deposits, Huang noted that recovery has not yet reached economically viable levels.

“For other associated elements, the current grades have not yet reached economically viable recovery levels,” he explained.

The counsellor emphasised that Chinese companies are committed to working with Zimbabwean authorities to ensure compliance with local regulations.

“In addition, the companies have invited the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to conduct comprehensive elemental analysis and research on lithium concentrates. All five companies are fully prepared to cooperate with government authorities regarding supervision, sampling, and investigations,” Huang said.

This commitment comes against the backdrop of the government’s recent suspension of raw lithium exports and its stated intention to tighten monitoring and enforcement across the sector. The government announced on 25 February 2026 the immediate suspension of all raw mineral and lithium concentrate exports, including shipments already in transit, citing widespread leakages, licence abuse, and failure to declare valuable by-minerals.

Huang also addressed the nature of lithium concentrate as a globally traded commodity, noting that Zimbabwe’s production follows international norms.

“It is also important to note that lithium concentrate is an internationally standardised commodity, and it is produced and exported in the same form in major lithium-producing regions such as Australia, South America, and Southern Africa,” he said.

He added that downstream processing of lithium follows established environmental practices globally.

“Following lithium extraction in downstream processing, the remaining residues are typically classified as industrial solid waste and are disposed of through licensed third-party facilities, in accordance with established international industry practices.”

Processing Capacity Developments

While Huang did not detail specific processing capacity figures, the companies he referenced have made significant strides. Bikita Minerals, operated by Sinomine, has been expanding its operations. The Bikita mine is one of Zimbabwe’s oldest lithium mines, having produced lithium minerals for decades, and the new recovery plants for caesium and tantalum-niobium represent significant value addition to the operation.

Kamativi Mining Company, operated by China’s Yahua Group, has been developing its processing infrastructure since taking over operations at the site of the former tin mine. The planned tin, tantalum, and niobium recovery system is part of a broader strategy to maximise value from the Kamativi pegmatites, which are known to contain multiple minerals.

The meeting comes five weeks after Zimbabwe announced the immediate suspension of all raw mineral and lithium concentrate exports. The government has cited widespread leakages, licence abuse, and failure to declare valuable by-minerals as reasons for the accelerated enforcement. Ministry of Mines Permanent Secretary Pfungwa Kunaka has testified before Parliament that studies confirmed significant losses of rare earths, tantalum, and niobium that were being shipped out without declaration.

The recovery plants that Chinese companies are constructing—for caesium at Bikita and for tin, tantalum, and niobium at Kamativi—directly address these concerns. By recovering these associated minerals locally, Zimbabwe can capture value that was previously being lost.

Huang’s address at the ZELO-organised breakfast meeting signals that Chinese investors, who dominate Zimbabwe’s lithium sector, are prepared to work within the new regulatory framework. For Zimbabwe, the challenge is to balance enforcement with continued investment. For Chinese companies, the challenge is to demonstrate compliance while maintaining operations during the transition to local processing.

The embassy’s presence at the meeting underscored the importance of the sector to bilateral relations. Chinese companies have invested billions of dollars in Zimbabwe’s lithium sector since 2021, making them central to the country’s beneficiation ambitions.

With recovery plants coming online for associated minerals and processing capacity expanding, the foundations for a new phase in Zimbabwe’s lithium industry are being laid. Whether those foundations will support the industrial future the government envisions remains to be seen.

Coal Gasification in Zimbabwe: Huge Potential for Fuel and Chemicals, but Demand Limits Investment

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Coal Gasification in Zimbabwe: Huge Potential for Fuel and Chemicals, but Demand Limits Investment
  • Coal Gasification Could Unlock New Value for Zimbabwe, But Demand Remains Key Hurdle

Zimbabwe’s coal sector holds significant potential for downstream value addition, including advanced processes like coal gasification and coal-to-liquid fuel conversion, but insufficient domestic demand remains the primary obstacle to large-scale beneficiation investment, the Chamber of Mines has revealed.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking at a workshop on energy minerals co-hosted by ActionAid Zimbabwe and the Parliament of Zimbabwe, Chamber of Mines Economic Policy and Investment Promotion Manager David Matyanga outlined the full spectrum of coal beneficiation opportunities available to Zimbabwe, from basic washing to complex chemical conversion.

Members of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development were in attendance. Matyanga began by explaining that coal is the foundational product from which all other beneficiation flows.

“The basic sellable product of any mining organisation is coal. From coal, we then move on to any other product above that. The coal sector has a wide range of options for beneficiation,” he said.

He explained that thermal coal, used for power generation and industrial heating, is the most basic product, extracted directly from the pit with minimal processing.

“Thermal coal is a product that cannot be beneficiated in any other way. It is from the pit to the processing plant.”

The first stage of beneficiation involves washing, which removes ash and other impurities from the raw coal.

“There are various processes that are undertaken to increase the value of the product, starting with washing, removing ash and other impurities within that product. Once the product is washed, then various off-takers can pick that up for various applications.”

These applications include industrial boilers for steam production, laundry operations, and heating systems across manufacturing sectors.

Matyanga explained that coal is naturally ranked into different grades, with the highest quality found at the base of coal seams.

“Coal, by its nature, is ranked into various grades. At the very top is thermal coal; at the base of the coal seams is your coking coal.”

Coking coal undergoes processing through coke batteries to produce coke, which is essential for:

• Ferrochrome production
• Iron and steel manufacturing
• Other industrial applications

The coke manufacturing process itself yields valuable chemical by-products that feed into other industries.

“From the coke manufacturing process, you get a lot of other by-products, such as steam. You also get to produce chemicals such as toluene, tar, benzene, and others, which feed into the chemical sector.”

This creates opportunities for linkages between the mining and chemical industries, adding further value within Zimbabwe.

Matyanga highlighted the most advanced beneficiation options: coal gasification and coal liquefaction, processes that convert coal into synthetic fuels and chemicals.

“There are options for coal gasification and coal electrification, and those processes produce diesel from coal. A typical plant is one that is there in South Africa, which converts coal into diesel.”

He was referring to Sasol’s world-renowned coal-to-liquid (CTL) facility in Secunda, which has operated for decades, converting low-grade coal into high-value liquid fuels.

However, Matyanga was clear that the primary barrier to such investment in Zimbabwe is insufficient domestic demand.

“The basic requirement, as you indicated, is demand. You do not have sufficient demand to warrant the investment in a plant that manufactures those products.”

This is a critical point: coal-to-liquid plants require massive capital investment and operate most efficiently at enormous scale. Without a guaranteed offtake for the products—both liquid fuels and chemicals—such projects cannot achieve the returns investors require.

Matyanga revealed that a detailed assessment of Zimbabwe’s coal gasification potential has already been conducted.

“However, a study was done by a German company, which indicated that coal gasification and coal electrification are possible. That document is with the metallurgy department. I think we can actually look it up and see whether it is something that is worth investing in.”

The existence of this study suggests that the technical viability of coal gasification in Zimbabwe has already been established. What remains is an economic assessment of whether the investment case can be made given current demand projections.

For Zimbabwe, which holds significant coal reserves in the Hwange and other coalfields, the question of coal beneficiation is strategic. The country currently exports substantial quantities of raw coal and coke to regional markets, particularly to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Botswana.

Moving up the value chain to produce liquid fuels and chemicals would require:

  • A clear assessment of domestic and regional demand for these products
  • A supportive fiscal framework for large-scale capital investment
  • Anchor investors willing to commit to multi-billion-dollar projects
  • Infrastructure to support such operations, including power, water, and transport

Matyanga’s remarks suggest that the technical groundwork has been laid. The German study sits with the metallurgy department, awaiting the right policy and market conditions to be dusted off and implemented.

For Zimbabwe, the question is not whether coal beneficiation is possible—it is. The question is whether the country can create the conditions that make the investment worthwhile. That requires understanding demand, engaging potential off-takers, and ensuring that the fiscal and regulatory environment can support projects of the scale required.

As Matyanga noted, South Africa’s Sasol provides proof of concept. Zimbabwe must now decide whether to follow that path and, if so, what it needs to do to make it viable.

Kamativi to Begin Tin, Tantalum, Niobium Recovery in September as Zimbabwe Moves to Capture Lost Value

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Kamativi to Begin Tin, Tantalum, Niobium Recovery in September as Zimbabwe Moves to Capture Lost Value

After almost 2 years of R&D on recovery technology of micro-elements from lithium ore, Kamativi Mining Company is currently constructing a tin, tantalum, and niobium recovery system at its lithium operation in Matabeleland North, a project expected to commence operations in September 2026 that will allow the mine to extract additional value from its tailings, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The recovery system, confirmed by the Economic and Commercial Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Zimbabwe, Huang Minghai, at a breakfast meeting organised by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Organisation (ZELO) on Tuesday, represents a significant step toward capturing the full value of Kamativi’s multi-mineral deposits.

For decades, the Kamativi mine was one of Zimbabwe’s largest tin producers before its closure in 1994 due to low global tin prices. During its 58 years of operation, the mine produced over 37,000 tonnes of tin from 27 million tonnes of tin-lithium-caesium-tantalum-bearing pegmatites. Beyond tin, the mine historically produced small quantities of tantalite, spodumene, and beryllium, with economic reserves of niobium and tungsten also identified.

Today, under the operation of Yahua Group, Kamativi has been transformed into a major lithium producer, with the mine currently achieving an annual raw ore processing capacity of 2.3 million tonnes. But the lithium revival has brought with it an opportunity to recover the other valuable minerals that have always been present in the Kamativi pegmatites.

The recovery project was finalised and commenced in September 2025, months before Zimbabwe announced the immediate suspension of all raw mineral and lithium concentrate exports on 25 February 2026, according to KMC’s COO, Mr Turkey Liang.

Mines Minister Dr Polite Kambamura cited “continued malpractices during the exportation of minerals” and the need to “enhance local mineral value addition and beneficiation.”

Central to the government’s concerns was the failure of some mining companies to declare valuable by-minerals found in lithium ore bodies. Ministry of Mines Permanent Secretary Pfungwa Kunaka testified before Parliament that studies confirmed significant losses of rare earths, tantalum, and niobium that were being shipped out without declaration.

The Kamativi recovery system directly addresses this concern. By establishing the capacity to recover tin, tantalum, and niobium locally, Zimbabwe can capture value that was previously lost when raw concentrate was exported.

The Kamativi deposit has always been known for its mineral diversity. Cassiterite (tin ore) was the primary target during the mine’s operation, with tantalite and columbite present as gangue materials. The site also holds significant spodumene (lithium) deposits, which are now the focus of current mining operations.

But for Kamativi, the decision to recover tin, tantalum, and niobium was driven by commercial reality: diversifying revenue streams to protect through comprehensive and maximised utilisation of resources.

“When lithium prices crash, having tin and tantalum to fall back on can be the difference between staying open and shutting down. This project is smart business, not just good policy,” one industry observer noted.

The tantalum and niobium content is particularly significant. Both metals are critical for modern technologies—tantalum is essential for capacitors in electronics, while niobium is used in high-strength steel alloys and superalloys for jet engines and turbines.

Kamativi is not alone in pursuing by-mineral recovery. Bikita Minerals, operated by Sinomine, completed a caesium flotation plant in August 2025 and a tantalum-niobium recovery plant in December 2025. The pattern suggests a sector-wide shift toward capturing the full value of Zimbabwe’s multi-mineral deposits.

With the tin, tantalum, and niobium recovery system expected to commence operations in September 2026, Kamativi is on track to join Bikita in demonstrating that Zimbabwe’s lithium deposits are not just about lithium. The question now is whether other lithium producers will follow suit.

The Kamativi project is also a test of whether the government’s enforcement strategy—the ban on raw exports—can successfully drive investment in recovery infrastructure that captures value that was previously being lost.

As one industry observer noted: “The Kamativi project shows what is possible when investors commit to full recovery. The question is whether the timeline and the economics will work for all players. September 2026 is not far away.”

For Zimbabwe, the Kamativi recovery system represents a concrete step toward the beneficiation vision that has driven the export ban. If successful, it could become a model for how the country’s lithium sector should operate—extracting not just lithium but every valuable mineral the ground provides.

Fidelity Gold Refinery opens a gold buying branch in Mazowe

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Fidelity Gold Refinery opens a gold buying branch in Mazowe

Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) has opened a new gold buying office at Mazowe Post Office, bringing formal gold sales closer to local miners. The office offers instant cash payments, reducing travel, transport costs, and security risks while promoting safe and formal deliveries.

This move eliminates the need for miners in the area to travel long distances to sell their gold, the company has announced.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The move is the latest in a series of initiatives by Zimbabwe’s sole gold buyer and exporter to decentralise its operations, reduce transaction costs for artisanal miners, and encourage formal deliveries by making the selling process faster and more convenient.

“You no longer have to travel long distances to sell your gold. Simply deliver your gold to our new buying office and get instant cash payments on the spot,” FGR said in an announcement shared on its social media platforms.

Mazowe, located in Mashonaland Central Province, is one of Zimbabwe’s historic gold mining districts, hosting a mix of large-scale operations and a vibrant artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector. However, miners have often faced logistical hurdles, including transport costs, security risks, and time lost when travelling to FGR’s main Harare refinery or other distant buying points.

The new office, situated at a recognisable and accessible landmark, addresses those challenges directly. By offering instant cash payments on the spot, FGR ensures that miners can immediately reinvest in their operations, pay workers, or support their families without delay.

“This is exactly what we have been asking for,” said Simba, a local miner who spoke to Mining Zimbabwe. “Now we can sell in the morning and be back at our shafts by midday. No more spending two days on the road.”

FGR’s expansion of its buying agent network and direct purchase points has been a key pillar of Zimbabwe’s strategy to formalise the ASM sector, which now contributes approximately 75% of national gold deliveries.

By making formal channels more convenient for buyers than informal channels, FGR reduces the incentive for side marketing and smuggling, activities that deprive the national fiscus of royalties, taxes, and foreign currency.

How Pickstone Peerless Shows That ASM and Large Scale Mining Can Coexist in Zimbabwe

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How Pickstone Peerless Shows That ASM and Large Scale Mining Can Coexist in Zimbabwe

ASM, Large Scale Mining Can Coexist, Pickstone Peerless Shows the Way

A model of coexistence between large-scale mining operations and artisanal small-scale miners is emerging at Pickstone Peerless Mine, offering a blueprint for resolving one of Zimbabwe’s most persistent mining sector challenges, Association of Mine Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ) President Stewart Gumbi has said.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Speaking to Mining Zimbabwe on the sidelines of the AMSZ first-quarter technical visit hosted at the Dallaglio-owned mine, Gumbi highlighted the operation’s arrangements with small-scale miners as a notable example of how competing interests can be managed safely and productively.

“We’ve also learned that there can be coexistence between large-scale operations and small-scale miners,” Gumbi said. “These people are a living example of that, and we’ve noted some arrangements of how they can ensure that the small-scale miners do not interfere with large-scale operations.”

He said Pickstone has implemented measures to reduce risk, ensuring that small-scale miners do not accidentally encroach into the mine’s workings or cause incidents related to accidental blasting.

“They’ve demonstrated that they have considered all these issues, and they are doing certain procedures to make sure that both parties are safe,” Gumbi added.

The Pickstone model comes at a critical juncture for Zimbabwe’s mining sector. Artisanal and small-scale miners now account for more than 60% of gold deliveries to Fidelity Printers and Refiners, contributing approximately 12% of the country’s gross domestic product and the bulk of foreign exchange earnings. An estimated 500,000 Zimbabweans are engaged in artisanal and small-scale mining, extracting gold, lithium, diamonds, platinum group metals, chrome, cobalt, copper, iron ore, tin, and gemstones.

Yet the sector has long operated in a precarious space, with miners facing severe health and safety risks. Many lack proper personal protective equipment, exposing them to toxic substances like mercury, which harms lungs, skin, and eyes while polluting air, water, and soil. Poorly ventilated pits increase the risk of lung diseases such as silicosis and pneumonia. Deep shafts, some reaching 40 meters, are prone to collapses and flooding, often resulting in injuries or deaths.

Zimbabwe’s mining death toll reached 237 fatalities in 2023, the worst in over five decades, prompting urgent calls for life-saving interventions, including proper drainage systems, reinforced mine supports, and real-time weather monitoring.

In response to these challenges, the government has introduced sweeping reforms aimed at formalising the sector. Since 1 July 2025, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has enforced a strict directive requiring all prospecting, pegging, and registration applications to be accompanied by survey-grade coordinates produced by a registered and certified surveyor.

The directive effectively bans the use of handheld GPS devices for pegging claims, a practice long associated with imprecise boundaries and overlapping titles that have fueled disputes, double allocations, and, in some cases, violent confrontations among miners. Miners must now engage licensed surveyors registered in the Ministry of Mines database who are paid-up members of AMSZ.

“We commend the Ministry for recognising the role of professional surveyors in bringing integrity to pegging processes,” Gumbi said when the directive was announced. “Our members are qualified and trained to provide precise geospatial data. This decision also protects miners, it ensures their claims are legally defensible and georeferenced in the national system.”

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has urged all artisanal and small-scale miners to promptly engage registered mine surveyors to avoid operational disruptions, formalising a partnership with AMSZ to support implementation of the government’s Mining Cadastre Information Management System.

“This collaboration is a direct response to the government’s new mandate requiring all mining title holders to submit accurate surveyed coordinates for their claims as part of the Mining Cadastre Information Management System, a critical step in formalising Zimbabwe’s ASM sector,” the ZMF said in a statement.

Both organisations agreed to develop a standardised tariff schedule for surveying services tailored to typical small-scale claim sizes, a move designed to prevent overcharging and ensure affordability for miners.

The Pickstone Peerless model demonstrates that structured coexistence is not only possible but beneficial. For artisanal miners, formalisation through such arrangements offers a pathway to safer working conditions, improved wages, and better access to financing. For large-scale operators, it reduces the risk of boundary disputes and accidental encroachments that can disrupt production and create safety hazards.

Gumbi noted that the technical visit itself provided an opportunity for surveyors to exchange ideas on executing the cadastral exercise and ensuring the continued delivery of the best results for the government mandate bestowed on mining surveyors.

“Surveyors had a lot of exchange and interchange that they did at this technical visit,” he said.

As Zimbabwe pushes forward with mining reforms and the rollout of a digital cadastre, the insistence on survey-grade coordinates marks a turning point for governance in the sector. It signals the end of an era dominated by informal practices and boundary confusion and the beginning of a more professional and transparent mining environment.

Pickstone Peerless, with its demonstrated coexistence model, stands as an example of what is possible when large-scale operators and small-scale miners find common ground.

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