Mining ZimbabweLatest Mining News, Policy and Industry Updates

In a move signaling strategic continuity and a deep familiarity with the sector, Mr. Onesimo Mazai Moyo has officially commenced his tenure as the Board Chairman of the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) with a comprehensive familiarisation tour of the company’s flagship Chiadzwa Mine operations, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The tour, conducted yesterday, marks one of Mr. Moyo’s first official duties since his appointment. He was accompanied by the full ZCDC executive leadership team, including Chief Executive Officer Dr. Douglas Zimbango, Chief Finance Officer Mr. Alex Mutendera, Acting Chief Operating Officer Mr. Dennis Mtombeni, and Company Secretary Ms. Dumisani Mashingaidze.

Mr. Moyo’s appointment is widely viewed as a strategic masterstroke for the state-owned diamond miner. He brings to the role a wealth of institutional knowledge and a proven track record, having previously served as the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development. This experience provides him with an unparalleled understanding of the national mining policy framework, regulatory environment, and the government’s strategic vision for the sector.

Furthermore, his current position as the Board Chairman of Defold Mine, a key shareholder in ZCDC, offers a unique dual perspective. It equips him with intimate knowledge of shareholder expectations and commercial imperatives, while his new role focuses on steering the corporate strategy and governance of ZCDC itself. This blend of public sector acumen and shareholder insight positions him ideally to align ZCDC’s operations with both national interests and commercial profitability.

Mr. Moyo succeeds Mr. Munashe Shava, whose term concluded at the end of June. The leadership transition comes at a critical time for ZCDC as it continues to pursue its mandate of driving sustainable growth, enhancing operational efficiency, and increasing diamond production in the Chiadzwa fields.

The familiarisation tour underscores the new Chairman’s hands-on approach and his commitment to grounding his leadership in a firsthand assessment of the mine’s operations, challenges, and opportunities. Engaging with senior managers on site, the board and executive teams discussed key operational metrics, safety protocols, and strategic initiatives aimed at consolidating ZCDC’s position as a major player in the global diamond industry.

Industry observers anticipate that Mr. Moyo’s leadership will bring stability and a renewed focus on leveraging his extensive networks and experience to unlock value, foster partnerships, and navigate the complex dynamics of the international diamond market for the benefit of Zimbabwe.

SHURUGWI – The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed a tragic mining accident at Chengxi Gold Mine in Shurugwi that claimed the lives of four artisanal miners.

According to a statement released on the ZRP’s official Twitter account, the incident occurred on 4 September 2025. The miners were prospecting for gold in a disused mineshaft when the shaft collapsed, trapping them inside.

“The ZRP confirms a mine accident which occurred at Chengxi Gold Mine, Shurugwi, on 04/09/25, where four artisanal miners died. The victims, who were prospecting for gold in a disused mineshaft, got trapped after the mineshaft collapsed. The bodies of the victims were retrieved and taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital for a post-mortem,” the police statement read.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collapse and have urged artisanal miners to exercise caution when working in abandoned or unsafe mining areas.

This incident highlights ongoing safety challenges in Zimbabwe’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector, which continues to attract many miners despite the risks associated with abandoned or poorly maintained shafts.

A miner in Chinhoyi has been fined for failing to renew his firearm license, a case that comes amid a sweeping national police operation targeting illegal weapons and expired certificates, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed the conviction of Andrew Nyamadzawo, who was arrested on July 19, 2025, at around 8 PM in the Chijaka area after he was found in possession of a 7.65mm pistol with an expired licence.

The firearm was intended for the protection of cash, bullion, and other valuables in transit. When asked to produce a valid certificate, Nyamadzawo could only submit an expired document registered in his name.

The Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court handed down a suspended sentence on condition that he pays a fine of US$200. The firearm was recovered by authorities.

This case aligns with a broader crackdown by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). In a press statement dated September 10, 2025, the ZRP revealed that since August 27, 2025, a total of 2,132 suspects have been arrested nationwide for offences related to unlicensed firearms, expired certificates, misuse of toy guns, and possession of dangerous weapons.

Among these arrests, 305 involved firearms with expired certificates – the same offence committed by Nyamadzawo.

The police also recovered 60 unlicensed firearms, 96 firearms linked to other offences, 258 misused toy guns, and 2,967 dangerous weapons. In a related operation, 604 individuals were arrested for selling or possessing prohibited skin-lightening products.

The ZRP used the statement to remind the public of their obligations under the Firearms Act (Chapter 10:09), urging proper firearm security and adherence to safety regulations. The release also highlighted that in the event of a firearm owner’s death, family members or estate administrators are required to surrender the weapons to the police.

Additionally, the police announced a forthcoming Presidential Firearms Amnesty, which will allow individuals and institutions to voluntarily surrender unregistered firearms and ammunition without prosecution. Full details of the amnesty program are expected to be released soon.

The government has ordered that perpetrators of illegal riverbed mining bear the full cost of rehabilitating degraded environments, invoking the “Polluter Pays Principle” as the next phase of its nationwide ban on alluvial mining, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

The directive was briefed to the media by the Minister of Information, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, during a Cabinet briefing that received an update on the implementation of Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024, which outlawed alluvial mining along riverbanks. With the ban largely successful in halting active mining, authorities are now shifting focus to the extensive environmental cleanup required.

Dr. Jenfan Muswere delivered the briefing, stating that “since alluvial mining has largely ceased, attention has now shifted to the rehabilitation of degraded sites, with liability for the rehabilitation being borne by the perpetrators.”

The government reported significant progress in operations to eliminate the practice across most provinces. To enforce the new rehabilitation drive, the legislative framework is being strengthened through the development of new regulations, and legislative reform will be expedited to “ensure environmental justice and accountability.”

The Cabinet update provided a provincial breakdown, noting that no identified alluvial mining sites in need of rehabilitation were found in the metropolitan provinces of Harare and Bulawayo. This indicates that the most severe damage is concentrated in rural and mineral-rich regions.

The government’s monitoring and enforcement efforts will now be concentrated on provinces where degradation is most acute, including Matabeleland North and Masvingo. These regions have seen some of the country’s most severe river siltation, which has contributed to a critical national water crisis.

Minister Muswere emphasised that the enforcement of the ban is “ongoing,” and the government continues to heighten its “monitoring and evaluation as well as enforcement mechanisms.”

The move to hold mining operators—both legal and illegal—financially accountable for environmental damage marks a significant escalation in the government’s policy. The “Polluter Pays Principle” is a standard environmental policy tool designed to internalise the cost of pollution, ensuring that the responsible parties, rather than the public, fund the restoration.

This policy shift follows recent public scrutiny over sentencing disparities for mining-related offences, where foreign nationals received fines while Zimbabwean citizens were jailed for similar activities. The new rehabilitation directive applies a uniform standard of accountability, focusing on the environmental impact rather than just the act of illegal mining.

Zimbabwe’s mining industry continues to play a critical role in the economy, providing jobs and generating revenue across multiple commodities. However, Mining Zimbabwe can report that the rapid expansion of mining has left a significant environmental footprint.

By Ryan Chigoche

Open pits, deforestation, silted rivers, and contamination from heavy metals and chemicals have been reported across the sector, raising concerns about ecosystem degradation and community health.

The Environmental Management Agency (EMA), mandated to regulate and monitor environmental compliance in mining, has faced challenges keeping up with the scale and diversity of mining operations. Limited technical capacity and resources have resulted in gaps in monitoring and enforcement, leaving parts of the sector vulnerable to unsustainable practices.

Rather than leaving environmental stewardship solely to EMA, Upenyu Makoni, Communications Officer for planetGOLD, told Mining Zimbabwe that a collective approach is needed.

“Effective environmental stewardship requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders, including miners, civil society, and communities, as well as government agencies. The mandate of EMA is critical, and its role as the regulator must be strengthened and supported. Key to this is fostering even deeper collaborative frameworks between institutions, ensuring that monitoring and enforcement are consistent across the entire mining sector,” she said.

Following this, planetGOLD highlighted that its collaboration with EMA in recent times has been constructive.

EMA officers accompanied planetGOLD teams during site profiling exercises across the country, providing local knowledge and facilitating engagement with mining communities.

The agency has also conducted awareness campaigns to educate miners and simplify compliance processes, helping improve environmental practices across the sector.

The planetGOLD initiative brings together EMA, the Ministries of Mines, Environment, and Health; Fidelity Gold Refinery; the Zimbabwe Miners Federation; miners; and other sector advocates to promote safer, cleaner, and more sustainable mining practices. The initiative benefits communities and workers across the sector while reducing environmental risks.

The project added that continued investment in EMA’s technical and logistical capacity is essential to enable consistent monitoring and enforcement, and that accountability for environmental damage requires participation from all stakeholders.