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As Zimbabwe intensifies efforts to formalise mining titles and enforce coordinate accuracy, the Zimbabwe Prospectors Association (ZPA) has urged the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to adopt a phased, conflict-sensitive approach to surveying and re-coordination of mining claims, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
ZPA President Timothy Chizuzu says that while the push for modern surveying is welcome, rushing into blanket implementation could fuel more disputes and strain limited technical resources.
Speaking after a recent technical engagement, Chizuzu cautioned against a one-size-fits-all model, proposing that the government prioritise areas with existing disputes as pilot zones for the new surveying regime.
“We think the government needs to do this in segments or stages. Start with claims that already have disputes and survey those first. That way, we’ll see how effective the process is before applying it nationwide,” said Chizuzu.
This call comes amid policy shifts mandating that all mining claims must now be surveyed using survey-grade instruments under the supervision of registered professionals—a move meant to eliminate disputes caused by inaccurate handheld GPS coordinates.
Surveying: Foundational, Not Optional
In line with the Ministry’s directive, surveyors are now central to claim validation, with handheld GPS banned as of 1 July 2025. The shift recognises that without accurate coordinates, there can be no secure title, no compliance, and ultimately, no sustainable mining.
As highlighted recently, surveying is no longer a back-end support service but a core strategic function linking legal title, production efficiency, environmental compliance, and investor confidence.
“Surveying is the heart of a mine. Everything starts and ends with a coordinate, and only professionals should handle that responsibility,” noted the Association of Mine Surveyors of Zimbabwe (AMSZ) Secretary General Takunda Paul Mubaiwa during a technical tour of Blanket Mine.
Boosting Survey Capacity: Prospectors Must Be Upgraded
Chizuzu noted that Zimbabwe faces a critical shortage of registered mine surveyors to meet the demand for re-coordination under the new law. He proposed that the government should not only train more surveyors but also upgrade and certify experienced prospectors, particularly the claim pickers who have long served at the grassroots level.
“The government must upgrade the prospectors already doing the work. With proper training, they can complement the few surveyors we have and help carry out the work faster and more cost-effectively,” he said.
This aligns with calls by AMSZ and other stakeholders for inclusive capacity building. Empowering existing actors—especially those in ASM spaces—will ensure faster implementation of the survey reforms without excluding the very people the policy aims to assist.
Managing Change Without Creating Chaos
Chizuzu emphasised that poorly sequenced implementation could inflame tensions, especially in high-activity gold zones where claim overlaps are already common.
“If we overhaul all mining claims at once, we risk creating more disputes than we solve. It’s better to manage change step by step so that we can apply it smoothly and avoid unnecessary conflicts,” he added.
The ZPA’s proposal highlights a pragmatic approach: start with problem areas, test the process, evaluate results, then gradually roll it out nationwide with lessons learned and capacity scaled.
Coordination Must Balance Precision and Practicality
Zimbabwe’s shift toward professionalised surveying is a welcome and necessary step. However, the pace and structure of its rollout will determine whether it brings lasting order or adds to confusion in the sector.
With mining contributing billions to the economy and ASM dominating gold production, any changes to claim management must be technically sound, socially sensitive, and logistically realistic.
As both the government and associations like AMSZ and ZPA push for order, the future of Zimbabwe’s mining title system lies in accuracy—but also in access, empowerment, and proper sequencing.
