The Planet Gold Zimbabwe project is hosting its first-ever stakeholders’ conference in Harare, bringing together government representatives, development partners, artisanal miners, and technical experts to discuss progress in transforming the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector toward safer and more sustainable operations, Mining Zimbabwe reports.
By Ryan Chigoche
Running under the theme “Building Together for a Sustainable Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Sector,” the two-day event—set for 27–28 October—will assess the project’s achievements, lessons learned, and challenges encountered during its first year of implementation, while setting the tone for its next phase.
Planet Gold Zimbabwe Project Manager Nyaradzo Mutonhori said the conference provides an opportunity to reflect on milestones achieved under the initiative and strengthen collaboration among key stakeholders.
“The conference will reflect on what has been achieved in the first year of implementation, lessons learned, and challenges encountered as we prepare for the second year,” she said.
Mutonhori added that the project has partnered with the Zimbabwe School of Mines to provide training and certification for artisanal and small-scale miners as part of ongoing efforts to formalise the sector and encourage responsible mining.
“We have partnered with the Zimbabwe School of Mines to support artisanal and small-scale miners through training and certification as part of promoting responsible mining practices,” she explained.
The event will also see the launch of a new publication titled Strengthening the Mines and Minerals Bill: Advancing Reforms for the Benefit of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Miners in Zimbabwe. The report captures miners’ perspectives on the proposed legislation and calls for inclusive reforms that address the realities of small-scale operations.
Planet Gold Zimbabwe Technical Specialist Mollin Siwela said one of the key focus areas during the conference will be policy reform on mercury management.
“The Bill does not make any reference to mercury, which is a missed opportunity,” she said. “As a signatory to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, Zimbabwe needs to ensure that legislation encourages mercury reduction and promotes safer mining practices.”
Mercury is widely used in Zimbabwe’s small-scale gold mining sector to extract gold from ore, but the practice has severe health and environmental consequences. According to Planet Gold Zimbabwe, artisanal mining is the country’s largest source of mercury emissions, contaminating soil, rivers, and communities downstream.
As part of its five-year plan, the project aims to reduce mercury use by 4.85 tonnes through training, awareness campaigns, and the introduction of alternative processing technologies. Siwela revealed that 72 mining sites have been selected for pilot testing of mercury-free gold processing technologies beginning next year, marking a critical step toward sustainable gold production.
Planet Gold Zimbabwe is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It is implemented by IMPACT in partnership with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife.
Over its five-year span, the programme aims to reach 7,500 artisanal miners across 72 ASGM sites, promote safer working conditions, and improve environmental stewardship across 76,000 hectares of mining-affected land impacted by the use of mercury.
