Mining ZimbabweLatest Mining News, Policy and Industry Updates

Barely a week after three Chinese nationals were fined for illegal mining activities in Karoi, two Zimbabwean men have been sentenced to two years in prison each for a similar offence, highlighting a continuing disparity in sentencing that has drawn public scrutiny, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Sublion Phiri (33) and Only Zivhane (24) were convicted by the Zvishavane Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 5 September 2025, for prospecting for gold without a licence. According to a bulletin released by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the two were arrested on 29 August at the Save River in Zvishavane following a tip-off.

The court heard that the pair was found extracting gold ore from the riverbank using shovels, a pick, an axe, digging bars, and buckets. They could not produce a prospecting licence when arrested by detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit.

Their two-year prison sentence stands in stark contrast to the outcome of a case concluded on 2 September in Karoi, where three Chinese nationals — Li Taisen, Wang Jinyan, and Xia Lin — were arrested for illegal alluvial mining along the Angwa River and operating without work permits. They were fined US$200 each, with an alternative two-month imprisonment if they failed to pay.

The recent convictions reinforce a pattern that has sparked debate about consistency in judicial outcomes for mining-related offences. While the Chinese offenders were fined for using machinery in a banned riverbed mining operation, Phiri and Zivhane have been imprisoned for using hand tools to prospect along the riverbank.

The NPA bulletin carried the hashtags #CrimeDoesNotPay and #NoToIllegalGoldPanning, echoing the government’s ongoing campaign against illegal mining, which it says causes severe environmental damage.

Legal observers and mining advocacy groups have begun questioning the factors influencing these sentences, including the specific charges brought by prosecutors, the representation of the accused, and whether national origin plays an unintended role in judicial discretion.

The two cases, occurring within days of each other, continue to fuel discussion on the need for transparent and uniform sentencing guidelines within Zimbabwe’s mining sector.

Gold Deliveries Increase over 22.57% in August 2025

Zimbabwe’s gold deliveries to the country’s sole buyer and exporter, Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR), in August 2025 stood at 4,189.77 kg, reflecting a slight 0.36% month-on-month decrease from 4,205.02 kg delivered in July 2025. However, year-on-year deliveries surged 22.57%, up from 3,418.09 kg in August 2024, underscoring the continued resilience of the sector, particularly artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

According to figures availed to Mining Zimbabwe, the ASM sector once again anchored deliveries, recording 3,249.93 kg in August 2025, up 1.56% from 3,199.84 kg in July. Year-on-year, ASM deliveries registered a remarkable 35.96% increase, rising from 2,390.80 kg in August 2024.

In contrast, large-scale producers delivered 939.84 kg in August 2025, marking a 6.51% decline month-on-month from 1,005.18 kg in July. Deliveries from the subsector were also 8.51% lower year-on-year compared to 1,027.29 kg recorded in August 2024.

This mirrors a trend observed in July, where ASM deliveries surged while large-scale output softened. The sustained dominance of ASM has reaffirmed its critical role in Zimbabwe’s gold mining industry, now contributing nearly 78% of August’s total deliveries.

July 2025 gold deliveries stood at 4,205.02 kg, down 1.42% from June 2025, but 20.3% higher year-on-year. That month, ASM output slipped slightly, while large-scale deliveries improved, showing signs of recovery following restructuring among some key operations.

The strong August figures, following robust July deliveries, reinforce Zimbabwe’s impressive 2025 performance. In the first half of the year, Zimbabwe delivered 20,103.55 kg of gold, a 45.85% increase from 13,784.29 kg in the same period of 2024. ASM nearly doubled its contributions, surging 96.31% year-on-year to 14,561.68 kg.

This stellar performance has been attributed to improved trust in formal gold marketing channels, particularly with Fidelity Gold Refinery offering over US$105 per gram, incentivizing miners to shun illicit trade.

While the month-on-month dip in August may highlight short-term fluctuations, the broader trajectory remains positive. Strong year-on-year growth, driven by ASM, suggests Zimbabwe is on track to surpass its 40-tonne gold output target for 2025, provided enabling policies and stable market conditions continue.

In its mandate to promote mining development, the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) has identified the struggling local diamond sector as one of the areas most critically in need of beneficiation investment, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Ryan Chigoche

Despite Zimbabwe’s rich diamond resources, the industry continues to underperform in terms of value addition. The government, a key player in the sector, has struggled to build resilient value chains or invest meaningfully in local cutting and polishing capacity.

Currently, about 90% of Zimbabwe’s diamonds are exported in rough form, meaning the country captures only about 20% of their potential value. This leaves the industry highly exposed to global price fluctuations and market volatility.

Adding to the challenge are escalating production costs, worsened by unreliable utilities and a steep royalty rate of 10%, which weigh heavily on the sector’s overall performance.

Against this backdrop, speaking during a panel discussion at the Africa Down Under conference, MMCZ General Manager Dr. Nomusa Moyo said unlocking value from the country’s diamond industry remains a priority.

“Right now, our diamond industry does not yet have fully equipped value addition facilities. We are highlighting these opportunities to encourage investors to participate in programs that process minerals locally, and we will also share ideas gathered from such international engagements with our parent ministry on how best to advance value addition and beneficiation,” Moyo said.

Moyo added that MMCZ will continue playing a key role in marketing Zimbabwe as a destination for mineral beneficiation and value addition opportunities, with a focus on diamonds and other strategic minerals.

Also stifling development in the local diamond sector is that the industry itself is dominated by three major mining operations: the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC), Anjin Investments, and Murowa Diamond. These companies have often found themselves embroiled in disputes that reflect the wider challenges of an industry long plagued by opacity and inequity.

ZCDC is wholly owned by the Government of Zimbabwe through Defold Mine (Pvt) Ltd, which holds 100% of its shares. Anjin Investments is a joint venture between Chinese construction giant Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Group (AFECC) and the Zimbabwean military’s investment arm, Matt Bronze. Both companies operate in Chiadzwa’s diamond fields in Manicaland province.

Murowa Diamond Mine is owned and operated by RZM Murowa (Private) Limited, part of RioZim Limited, a listed mining company. It operates in Mazvihwa, Midlands province, and is the country’s only significant private-sector diamond producer.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s participation at Africa Down Under (ADU) 2025 represents a whole-of-government approach to promoting mining and energy opportunities at a time when global demand for both sectors is accelerating.

In a move to uphold environmental protection laws, the government has announced a strict inspection of mining activities at Christmas Pass Mountain in Mutare, an initiative that is part of a broader national push for responsible mining practices prioritising environmental sustainability and community safety, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The directive was confirmed by the Deputy Minister, Dr. Caleb Makwiranzou, in response to questions raised in the Senate on Thursday regarding ongoing mining operations at the sensitive Christmas Pass location in Manicaland. Dr. Makwiranzou assured the Senate that a team of inspectors would be dispatched to the site to ensure full compliance with the nation’s mining regulations.

Central to the government’s policy is the principle of rehabilitation. The Deputy Minister emphasised that miners have a legal and moral obligation to restore land after their work is complete.

“We have one environment; if it is destroyed, we won’t have another. Leaving open pits is not an option. Companies must rehabilitate the land to its natural state or make it suitable for alternative use,” he said.

The inspectors will focus on two key legal requirements:

1. The 400-Meter Buffer Zone: The Mining Act strictly prohibits any mining activity within 400 meters of residential areas, public infrastructure, or other protected zones. The inspection team will conduct precise measurements to ensure the Christmas Pass operations are not in violation of this critical safety regulation.

2. Environmental Impact and Drainage: A primary concern is the potential for catastrophic erosion and flooding, especially during the rainy season. The inspectors will assess whether the mining activity has created unstable ground or altered natural water drainage paths in a way that could endanger nearby communities and downstream ecosystems.

Dr. Makwiranzou’s response underscores a growing government commitment to moving beyond mere rhetoric and enforcing existing laws. The inspection of the Christmas Pass mine is being seen as a test case for this renewed vigilance.

The government’s message to the mining industry is clear: economic gain must never come at the expense of the environment and public safety. Operators are expected to mine responsibly or face the full consequences of the law. The nation will be watching closely as the inspectors deliver their findings on the Christmas Pass project.

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has issued a direct appeal to the Zimbabwean diaspora and international investors, positioning the Artisanal and Small to Medium-Scale Mining (ASM) sector as a critical and lucrative entry point for capital, technology, and expertise, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

In a presentation delivered by ZMF President Henrietta Rushwaya at the Africa Down Under Conference in Perth, the federation highlighted the strategic economic importance of the ASM sector, which contributes over 60% of Zimbabwe’s gold deliveries and supports more than 1.5 million livelihoods.

Under the theme “Building Bridges: Partnering with the Diaspora for a Prosperous Zimbabwean Mining Sector,” Rushwaya outlined how diaspora investors, particularly those based in mining-rich Australia, hold a unique advantage to drive formalisation and growth.

“You possess a powerful combination perfectly suited for this moment: financial capital, world-leading technical expertise, and a cultural bridge that understands both the Zimbabwean context and international best practices,” said Rushwaya. “You are not just investors; you are nation-builders.”

The federation identified four key investment channels where diaspora capital and knowledge can be most impactful:

1. Technology & Service Provision: Establishing modern gold processing plants (CIP/CIL), modular lithium DMS units, and supplying high-demand mining consumables and services.

2. Equipment Financing: Leasing or financing machinery for artisanal mining cooperatives and offering contract mining services.

3. ESG & Compliance: Introducing certified training programs, mine planning software, and ethical mineral traceability systems.

4. Equity Investments: Forming joint ventures on brownfield projects or creating formalised gold-buying entities in partnership with Fidelity Gold Refiners.

ZMF positioned itself as the essential on-the-ground partner to de-risk investments, offering services such as regulatory navigation, credible partner vetting, venture formalisation, and ongoing operational support.

The call to action was clear: leverage Australian mining excellence and capital to transform a sector ripe for modernisation, with the full support of government institutions including the Ministry of Mines and Fidelity Gold Refiners.

“The opportunities are vast, the Government is supportive, and the need is urgent,” Rushwaya concluded. “Invest not just for return, but for legacy.”

Interested parties are encouraged to contact ZMF directly for partnership and investment facilitation.

Nasdaq-listed mining company Namib Minerals is stepping up its commitment to Zimbabwe’s gold sector, with its CEO, Mr. Ibrahima Sory Tall, recently touring Mazowe, Redwing, and How Mines to oversee progress on a US$300 million investment earmarked for restoring and expanding operations, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The visit by Tall underscored not only the company’s determination to revive large-scale gold mining but also its recognition of the need to engage stakeholders, particularly in areas affected by artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM).

Mr. Tall said the tour was meant to reinforce the company’s on-the-ground approach. “By implementing our strategy, we will be developing world-class assets that directly support the Government of Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, while also generating lasting value for our stakeholders,” he said.

The success of this multi-million-dollar investment will depend heavily on how Namib Minerals manages engagement with both local communities and ASM miners operating around Mazowe and Redwing. For years, these mines have been epicentres of artisanal activity, often driven by economic necessity and limited formal employment opportunities. While ASM contributes significantly to Zimbabwe’s gold deliveries, it also presents challenges, safety risks, environmental damage, and unregulated production that undermines formal operations.

Namib Minerals has openly acknowledged the need to address illegal mining to maximise the benefits of its planned revival of Mazowe and Redwing. This is a clear signal that the company sees sustainable engagement, not confrontation, as the path forward. Coordinated action, involving government, traditional leaders, ASM groups, and the company itself, could pave the way for coexistence where artisanal miners transition into safer, more formalised operations.

Preliminary work has already begun at Mazowe and Redwing, laying the foundation for redevelopment, while How Mine is being prepared for scaled-up production. The investment will not only expand production capacity but also focus on environmental rehabilitation and extensive exploration aimed at doubling current resources.

Crucially, this approach has to create space for inclusive growth. In Zimbabwe’s gold sector, where ASM sustains hundreds of thousands of livelihoods, engagement strategies that integrate small-scale miners into value chains—whether through tribute agreements, processing partnerships, or formalisation programmes—will determine whether the investment achieves broad national benefits.

Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 identifies mining as a pillar for achieving upper middle-income status. While large-scale investments like Namib Minerals’ US$300 million plan provide the financial muscle to rebuild major assets, ASM remains the backbone of gold deliveries to Fidelity Gold Refinery. For the government, and now for Namib Minerals, the challenge is not whether ASM exists, but how it can be harnessed, organised, and made safer to align with national goals.

Namib Minerals’ commitment to responsible mining, as reflected in its Nasdaq listing and focus on community engagement, suggests that the company understands this dynamic. By working with ASM stakeholders, the company can not only protect its assets but also foster a new model of mining partnerships where artisanal and large-scale mining complement each other rather than compete.

Namib Minerals’ entry into Zimbabwe’s gold revival drive is timely, ambitious, and promising. But beyond the billions in capital expenditure, its real test will be in how it engages with local communities and ASM. The history of Mazowe and Redwing has shown that ignoring artisanal miners is not an option. Instead, sustainable solutions lie in dialogue, structured collaboration, and ensuring that mining becomes a shared economic engine for all stakeholders.

If successful, Namib Minerals could set a new benchmark for how foreign investment in Zimbabwe’s mining sector balances profitability with inclusion, paving the way for a mining future that is both world-class and locally empowering.

The Association of Mine Managers of Zimbabwe (AMMZ), in collaboration with the Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe, will hold its third quarterly technical visit at Bikita Minerals on September 12, 2025, in a bid to elevate operational standards and encourage adoption of industry best practices across the sector, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

In a statement, Bikita Minerals expressed honour at being selected as host, noting that the event offers “a valuable opportunity for knowledge sharing of the industry’s best practices.”

The gathering is expected to draw senior mine managers and technical experts from across Zimbabwe’s mining industry, providing a platform for professional engagement, live operational tours, and dialogue on critical issues such as safety, process optimisation, and sustainable mining.

These quarterly technical visits, organised by the AMMZ, are designed to strengthen practical knowledge-sharing and build professional networks among key decision-makers. The choice of Bikita Minerals — a significant lithium producer and a growing force in the mineral resources sector — as this quarter’s host underscores the increasing importance of strategic minerals and the need for continuous technical learning.

Participants will have the opportunity to tour active mining and processing facilities, observe new technologies in use, and engage in technical discussions aimed at solving common operational challenges.

“Building relationships and collaborating with key stakeholders are central to addressing industry-wide challenges,” the organising bodies emphasised, reflecting the visit’s role in fostering a more integrated and resilient mining sector.

The event is complimentary for registered participants. Interested mine managers and industry professionals are encouraged to confirm attendance by contacting the AMMZ directly via their website: www.ammz.co.zw.

This initiative forms part of broader efforts by the Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe and AMMZ to drive professionalism, innovation, and sustainable growth across the national mining industry.