In a groundbreaking move to enhance safety, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance within Zimbabwe’s mining industry, the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development (MMMD) has partnered with the Association of Mine Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ) to make qualified mine surveying services accessible and affordable to all mining operators, from large-scale mining houses to small-scale and artisanal miners, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Announcing the program, Chief Government Mining Engineer Eng. Michael Munodawafa said the AMSZ has been engaged to provide technical advisory visits to mining operations of all sizes. They will offer expertise in areas such as operational optimization, regulatory compliance, and expert surveying services, particularly for small to medium entities.
“This program is designed to improve safety, operational efficiency, formalization, and regulatory compliance across the sector. By making qualified mine surveying services readily available, we hope to support miners of all sizes in operating more safely and productively,” Eng. Munodawafa said in a statement.
Under this arrangement, AMSZ will provide technical advisory visits and expert surveying services to all mining operations, with a particular focus on small- and medium-scale entities. To ensure seamless access, AMSZ will compile and maintain a register of qualified mine surveyors by province, updated monthly. This register will be made available to Provincial Mining Directors and shared with mining operators in their respective regions.
Miners will be able to consult the AMSZ register to engage qualified surveyors, with services offered at nominal, pre-negotiated rates. Miners are also encouraged to explore cooperative arrangements, pooling resources to hire a single surveyor for multiple operations, thereby making the service even more affordable.
AMSZ President Stewart Gumbi urged surveyors to regularize their membership with AMSZ.
“This milestone achievement is a significant step toward improving safety and compliance in the mining sector. We encourage all surveyors to ensure their details are registered and up to date to be included in the monthly registers and be part of this transformative initiative,” he said.
This partnership between MMMD and AMSZ is expected to bring numerous benefits to the mining sector:
- Enhanced safety and efficiency across mining operations.
- Greater compliance with mining regulations.
- Affordable access to surveying expertise, particularly for small- and medium-scale miners.
- Employment opportunities for independent and unemployed mine surveyors.
The initiative marks a significant shift toward professionalizing mine surveying services and fostering safer mining practices across Zimbabwe. The Ministry is confident that this program will benefit the entire mining community, helping miners operate more effectively while contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
