Kuvimba Mining House (KMH)–owned Shamva Gold Mine has once again raised the bar for mining safety in Zimbabwe, achieving a remarkable 1,523,000 fatality-free shifts. This milestone comes as the mine continues its determined pursuit of zero harm, proving beyond doubt that such a standard is not only possible but sustainable in the country’s mining industry, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The milestone highlights Shamva’s unwavering commitment to the health and safety of its employees. For an industry often defined by risk, Shamva’s achievement stands as both an inspiration and a challenge to others: safety excellence is not a dream, but a lived reality.
At the centre of this success is Engineer Gift Mapakame, the General Manager of Shamva Gold Mine, whose leadership has been pivotal in embedding safety into every facet of operations. Mapakame attributed the achievement to teamwork, discipline, and a culture that places people before production.
“Reaching this milestone is not about luck or coincidence. It is the result of consistent effort, strict adherence to safety standards, and the belief that every worker must return home safely at the end of each shift,” said Mapakame.
He added that the milestone underscores the mine’s determination to maintain a hazard-free work environment while empowering employees with the tools, training, and mindset needed to prevent accidents.
The mine’s SHE (Safety, Health, and Environment) team has been lauded internally for its proactive approach to safety management, ensuring regular audits, training programmes, and hazard identification exercises that have made safety a shared responsibility across the workforce. This holistic approach has created a culture where every worker is a safety ambassador.
For Zimbabwe’s mining sector, Shamva’s achievement is a statement of what is possible. Mines are often criticised for poor safety records, yet Shamva has now demonstrated—consistently—that the zero-harm goal can be attained.
What makes Shamva’s story remarkable is that just over a year ago, on December 5, 2023, the mine celebrated 1 million fatality-free shifts. That milestone was itself historic. But to push forward, without losing momentum, and to add another half a million safe shifts on top of that record, demonstrates that the safety culture at Shamva is not an event—it is an ingrained way of life.
Safety achievements of this magnitude ripple far beyond the mine gates. They inspire investor confidence, improve employee morale, and assure surrounding communities that mining can be carried out responsibly. For Shamva, safety is no longer just a compliance matter; it has become part of the mine’s identity, shaping how it interacts with stakeholders and setting the tone for future growth.
The success is also aligned with the broader vision of Kuvimba Mining House, which has been at the forefront of reviving mines and reshaping them into modern, efficient, and safe operations. KMH’s parent, the Mutapa Investment Fund, has consistently emphasised not just profitability, but also responsible and sustainable mining practices. Shamva’s achievement speaks directly to that mandate.
In the words of Engineer Mapakame, the milestone is a reminder that “safety is not negotiable.” It is the gold standard by which mining should be measured.
As Shamva Mine continues its journey, surpassing 1.5 million fatality-free shifts, it has not only written its own success story but also set a new benchmark for Zimbabwean mining. It shows that with visionary leadership, disciplined teams, and a culture rooted in responsibility, mines can thrive without compromising the most valuable asset of all—human life.
