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The University of the Witwatersrand’s School of Mining Engineering — already one of the most influential mining education institutions in Africa — is setting its sights on becoming a global top-ten leader under the stewardship of its new head, Dr Paseka Leeuw, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

Taking over from Zimbabwean-born Professor Cuthbert Musingwini earlier this year, Dr Leeuw brings over two decades of blended academic and operational mining experience, with a clear mandate: elevate the Johannesburg-based school beyond its current 11th spot in the QS World University Rankings for Mineral and Mining Engineering.

“Wits is already a global brand in mining education,” said Dr Leeuw. “Now, it’s about pushing the envelope further — we’re building on strong foundations laid by my predecessor and taking a bold step towards a top-ten global ranking.”

From the Pit to the Podium

Dr Leeuw is no stranger to the industry or academia. A Wits graduate himself (BSc Mining Engineering, 1994), he spent formative years managing operations at Kimberley Mines, later serving in roles such as section manager and technical services manager. His industry tenure in South Africa’s diamond sector earned him invaluable experience, which he carried back into academia in 2009.

He went on to obtain an MBA from De Montfort University in the UK and completed both his MSc and PhD at Wits — further solidifying his technical and strategic grounding.

With over 700 enrolled students and a staff complement of 23, the Wits School of Mining Engineering is among the largest globally. Dr Leeuw credits the School’s reputation not just to its numbers, but to its dynamic, tech-forward, and collaborative academic culture.

Championing Digital-First Mining Education

In 2018, under Prof. Musingwini’s leadership, Wits Mining embraced the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), aligning its curriculum with emerging mining technologies and digital transformation.

That legacy continues. “Second-year students at Wits are now taught programming and exposed to automation and robotics in mining,” Dr Leeuw noted. “We are deliberately equipping our graduates with data analytics skills — because the future of mining is digital, data-driven, and smart.”

Through the Wits Mining Institute’s partnership with Sibanye-Stillwater, students have access to the cutting-edge DigiMine Laboratory — a one-of-a-kind digital mining research facility focused on safety and sustainability.

Adapting to a Changing Industry

Dr Leeuw reflects on how mining education has changed. In the past, students arrived with bursaries from major mining houses and could count on post-graduation job placements. Today, most learners fund themselves and may never have stepped foot on a mine.

“We’re bridging that gap with simulated underground environments on campus and forging deeper industry linkages to offer real-world exposure,” he said.

This shift has made industry-academic collaboration even more crucial. The School continues to work closely with mining giants like Anglo American, Harmony, Seriti Resources, African Rainbow Minerals, and Sibanye-Stillwater, while also building partnerships with junior mining outfits.

Global Outlook, African Roots

Dr Leeuw succeeds Prof. Musingwini, who made history as the first Zimbabwean-born academic to lead the Wits School of Mining Engineering. With over 30 years’ experience, including time in Zimbabwe’s gold mining sector and at the University of Zimbabwe, Musingwini’s tenure was marked by curriculum transformation, expanded research output, and international collaborations.

Today, Wits Mining maintains academic exchanges and staff development programmes with institutions in Nigeria, Namibia, Pakistan, and Mozambique — many facilitated through European and Dutch government-funded initiatives like Erasmus+ and NICHE.

There are also partnerships on the horizon with Sierra Leone’s Kono University of Science and Technology, and other mining departments across the globe.

The Road to the Top 10

As the mining sector across Africa transitions to more sustainable, tech-enabled operations, the demand for digitally skilled professionals is surging. Dr Leeuw believes Wits can play a transformative role in preparing the continent’s future mining leaders.

“Our mission is to support Africa’s economic growth through relevant, high-quality education that’s aligned with industry needs,” said Dr Leeuw. “We’ve consistently ranked among the top 20 globally since 2016 — now we’re ready to claim a seat at the top table.”

The Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, has stressed the urgent need to find viable alternatives to mercury use before it can be completely phased out in the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.

By Ryan Chigoche

This comes amid ongoing concerns that, despite Zimbabwe’s ratification of the Minamata Convention on Mercury and a formal ban on its use in mining in 2020, mercury remains widely used, especially among small-scale gold miners.

The Minamata Convention is a global treaty designed to protect human health and the environment from the harmful effects of mercury.

While the ban is a step in the right direction, challenges in enforcement and access to alternative methods continue to hinder full compliance.

At a recent event in Harare, Chief Government Mining Engineer Eng. Michael Munodawafa acknowledged these challenges and outlined ongoing efforts to find sustainable solutions.

“We are also starting to do some research with other institutions on alternative methods which completely move away from the use of mercury. But we are still a long way. Because you can only ban something and say you don’t want to use mercury anymore, here is the solution. But before we get the solution, we can’t say we ban mercury completely. But once we get the solutions, we can come up with, like in the next two years, that no more mercury, no more importation of mercury. We end here. We only need to use the alternative methods. But at the moment, we are still working on that,” Munodawafa said.

Zimbabwe ratified the Minamata Convention in December 2020, becoming the 116th country to join the treaty. Adopted in 2013 and enforced globally since 2017, the Convention requires countries to eliminate mercury use in sectors such as small-scale gold mining, where it poses severe environmental and public health risks.

Mercury contamination can poison water sources and the food chain, affecting both miners and surrounding communities.

Although mercury-free gold extraction methods such as gravity concentration, sluicing, and cyanide use are available, adoption has been slow due to limited access to equipment, training, and financing, especially in remote mining areas.

To support the transition, Zimbabwe is part of the planetGOLD project, an initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

In partnership with the Zimbabwean government and the non-profit organisation IMPACT, the project aims to formalise ASM operations, introduce mercury-free technologies, provide access to finance, and raise awareness about the dangers of mercury.

The project targets 7,500 miners—both men and women—across 11 districts and is expected to prevent the release of up to 4.85 tonnes of mercury.

While progress is being made, authorities acknowledge that a full ban on mercury will only be realistic once safe, effective, and accessible alternatives are in place.

As the country works toward that goal, collaboration between government, miners, and development partners remains critical to ensure a just and sustainable transition.

The Government of Zimbabwe has reaffirmed its strong support for Mimosa Mining Company’s strategic vision to extend its life of mine by up to 15 years, even as the platinum miner grapples with a 40% decline in revenue due to depressed global metal prices, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

In a significant show of confidence, key government officials, including the Ministers of Finance and Mines, visited the Zvishavane-based operation and pledged to create a conducive investment framework to sustain jobs, production, and long-term viability.

Mimosa’s current life of mine stands at eight years, but the company is actively pursuing the development of the North Hill ore body, which could add 12 to 15 more years of production. The mine, jointly owned by Impala Platinum and Sibanye-Stillwater, is facing headwinds from a prolonged slump in PGM prices, alongside challenges related to Zimbabwe’s foreign currency retention regime.

During the high-level tour, Minister of Finance and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, emphasised the government’s readiness to assist Mimosa in navigating these challenges and unlocking new investment.

“We are very supportive of this business here in Mimosa because it is a very important company in the community, in the local economy in Zvishavane, and beyond,” said Minister Ncube. “Directly, the mine employs about 3,900 people, and indirectly, over 8,000 people rely on this operation. It is a national asset.”

He noted that the mine’s vision to develop the lower-grade North Hill resource will require significant capital, and the government is open to policy adjustments to support the initiative.

“The miners’ desire is to develop the North Hill ore body and blend it with the current South Hill ore body. They have asked for support from the government to raise adequate resources. Once we receive their formal proposal, we stand ready to support this investment,” said Ncube.

Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Winston Chitando, reinforced that discussions were already progressing and would be aligned with Zimbabwe’s drive to grow the mining sector to support Vision 2030.

“We are getting an update on Mimosa’s proposals to extend the life of mine and develop the North Hill ore body. Discussions will be ongoing so that the government can facilitate the investment needed to maintain employment and production,” he said.

Mimosa Managing Director, Fungai Makoni, confirmed that the company had suspended North Hill development due to the global downturn but remained committed to long-term sustainability. Talks with the government are focused on access to foreign currency and a support framework to revive the project.

“We are in discussions with both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Mines around a support framework. The focus is on access to foreign currency and funding availability to enable the North Hill project,” Makoni said.

The company has already invested heavily in operational resilience, including the US$75 million Tailings Storage Facility 4 (TSF-4) and a US$40 million plant optimisation program initiated in 2021, designed to improve recovery, energy efficiency, and prepare for tailings retreatment in the future.

As the government shows strong political will to back its flagship mines, Mimosa’s story could be a blueprint for balancing survival, sustainability, and long-term growth in Zimbabwe’s PGM industry.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed the imprisonment of Kudakwashe Mapinda of Siakobvu, who was convicted of illegal gold panning and sentenced to two years in prison, Mining Zimbabwe can report.

By Rudairo Mapuranga

This comes as the Zimbabwean government intensifies its nationwide crackdown on illegal mining, particularly riverbed activities that are endangering ecosystems and depleting national water resources.

According to court proceedings at the Karoi Magistrates’ Court, Mapinda was apprehended on May 5, 2025, by game rangers while illegally prospecting for gold along the Karongwe River. He was caught red-handed after diverting water and shovelling mud into a wooden panning dish. Upon questioning, it was established that he had no mining license, prospecting order, or any official authority to conduct mining activities.

This high-profile sentencing follows the recent conviction of Simbarashe Chayambuka, a 38-year-old man from Mount Darwin, who was fined US$200 for illegal riverbed mining along the Fuse River. Chayambuka was caught by Ruia Mine security guards on March 4, 2025, using rudimentary tools to extract minerals. He was handed over to the Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit (MFFU) and later appeared in court, where he pleaded guilty.

The mounting prosecutions highlight a broader government campaign against illegal mining activities. The Zimbabwean government last banned all riverbed mining and desiltation activities, citing irreversible environmental damage caused by such practices. The Cabinet emphasized that large-scale mechanical alluvial mining—ongoing since 2011—has devastated rivers like Nyagadzi, Mazowe, and Insiza, significantly affecting water supply and biodiversity.

Information Minister Hon. Jenfan Muswere stated, “The destruction of rivers through alluvial mining has resulted in severe environmental consequences, from water pollution to the disruption of ecosystems. The damage has far outweighed any potential benefits.”

Bulawayo’s Umzingwane Dam, which is sitting at a dangerously low 2% capacity, has further underscored the urgency of the government’s actions. Authorities now view illegal mining around water sources as a national threat, contributing to siltation and contamination of vital water supplies.

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has backed the government’s move to outlaw riverbed mining. ZMF President Ms. Henrietta Rushwaya welcomed the ban, saying it aligns with the Federation’s goal of promoting sustainable and responsible mining practices.

“We are very pleased with this decision. Riverbed mining was hindering our efforts toward sustainable mining due to its adverse effects on the ecosystem,” Rushwaya told Mining Zimbabwe.

ZMF has recently developed a tailor-made Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategy for Zimbabwe’s Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM) sector. This initiative seeks to align ASM activities with global environmental and human rights standards, emphasizing decarbonization, water stewardship, and responsible resource extraction.

“Although decarbonization is rarely linked to ASM operations, we believe incorporating solar energy into ASM practices will significantly contribute to the decarbonization agenda,” Rushwaya added.

The combined sentencing of Mapinda and Chayambuka sends a strong message to illegal miners and syndicates across Zimbabwe. The era of unchecked riverbed mining appears to be over as the government, judiciary, and mining authorities align to protect Zimbabwe’s natural resources.

The NPA’s firm stance, reflected in its news bulletin slogan “Combating Crime and Corruption,” reinforces the administration’s commitment to preserving natural ecosystems and combating the criminal elements that have long operated with impunity in the country’s informal mining sector.

As Zimbabwe continues to battle the effects of climate change and water scarcity, these enforcement actions are not just about legality—they are about ensuring national sustainability for future generations.