With the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector bearing the heaviest burden of gassing-related incidents, the Mine Ventilation Society of Zimbabwe (MVSZ) says it is its moral obligation to extend its expertise to the sector, given the critical role ASM plays in Zimbabwe’s economic growth, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Ryan Chigoche
This commitment was highlighted at the ongoing MVSZ AGM and Symposium, running under the theme “Optimising Ventilation Systems for Operational Excellence.”
The event brought together mining professionals, regulators, and academics to discuss strategies for improving underground ventilation across both large-scale and artisanal operations.
Gassing incidents remain a serious threat, underscoring the need for effective ventilation systems. In 2022, the Chamber of Mines reported 24 fatal mining accidents due to gassing. In 2024, 11 gas accidents resulted in 12 fatalities, with the ASM sector bearing the greatest burden. The first half of 2025 has already recorded a fatal incident, highlighting the persistent risk.
In his address, MVSZ President Dr Tonderai Chikande said it is the society’s duty to support ASM miners and called for an all-stakeholder approach to achieve this goal:
“Artisanal mining is the double-edged sword of Zimbabwe’s mining economy. On one hand, ASM sustains livelihoods. On the other, it is a silent crisis of exposure — no ventilation planning, no dust control, no health surveillance,” he said.
“Our colleagues are inhaling silica dust without warning, exposed to heat stress, toxic gases, and even oxygen-depleted zones. As a society, we have a moral obligation to extend our expertise and influence into the informal mining sector, and I am calling on all stakeholders today — government, private sector, and academia — to build bridges with the ASM community,” Chikande added.
This call comes at a time when ASM has become an integral part of Zimbabwe’s economy, delivering 23.7 tonnes of gold in 2024 and 17.76 tonnes in the first half of 2025 to Fidelity Gold Refinery, accounting for a significant share of the country’s gold output.
These statistics underline why ventilation practitioners must extend their expertise to ASM operations.
Improving air quality and safety in these mines not only protects thousands of underground workers but also safeguards a sector that is crucial to Zimbabwe’s economy. Enhancing safety in ASM mines ensures that this vital contribution can continue sustainably and productively.
