Zimbabwe’s gold deliveries rose to 5,119.1995 kilograms in August 2026, recording a 10.1% month-on-month increase from the 4,649.3096 kilograms delivered in July, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Figures from Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) also show a 20.7% year-on-year increase from the 4,242.9139 kilograms delivered in August 2025, highlighting continued growth in the country’s gold sector.
The increase was largely driven by the small-scale mining sector, which delivered nearly four tonnes during the month and accounted for more than three-quarters of national gold deliveries.
Small-scale miners delivered 3,978.4458 kilograms in August, up 14.9% from the 3,460.7549 kilograms recorded in July.
Compared with August 2025, when the sector delivered 3,249.9256 kilograms, small-scale deliveries increased by 22.4%.
Large-scale mining operations, meanwhile, delivered 1,140.7437 kilograms in August, down 4.0% from the 1,188.5547 kilograms recorded in July.
Despite the monthly decline, large-scale deliveries were 14.9% higher than the 992.9883 kilograms delivered in August 2025.
| Category | August 2026 | July 2026 | August 2025 | MoM Change | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large-Scale | 1,140.74 kg | 1,188.55 kg | 992.99 kg | -4.0% | +14.9% |
| Small-Scale | 3,978.45 kg | 3,460.75 kg | 3,249.93 kg | +14.9% | +22.4% |
| Total | 5,119.20 kg | 4,649.31 kg | 4,242.91 kg | +10.1% | +20.7% |
Small-scale miners maintain dominance
The August figures further underline the dominant contribution of the small-scale mining sector to Zimbabwe’s gold production and deliveries.
Small-scale miners accounted for approximately 77.7% of total gold deliveries during the month, compared with 22.3% from large-scale producers.
The continued dominance of the sector comes amid government efforts to formalise artisanal and small-scale gold mining, improve traceability and strengthen the integration of smaller producers into the formal gold marketing system.
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has continued to push for greater formalisation and increased gold deliveries from the ASM sector, with the organisation targeting 45 tonnes from small-scale miners in 2026.
Large-scale mining records annual growth
Although large-scale deliveries declined slightly month-on-month, the sector maintained strong year-on-year growth.
The 1,140.7437 kilograms delivered in August represented a 14.9% increase from the corresponding month last year, indicating that larger producers continue to contribute significantly to overall sector growth.
The large-scale pipeline is also expected to expand as new and restarting operations progress.
Caledonia Mining’s Bilboes development and Namib Minerals’ Redwing restart are among projects expected to contribute to Zimbabwe’s future gold production as they advance towards increased output.
Zimbabwe tracks annual gold target
August’s 5.1192-tonne delivery brings Zimbabwe’s cumulative gold deliveries for the first eight months of 2026 to approximately 31.2 tonnes, putting the country more than halfway towards its 55-tonne annual target.
At August’s monthly delivery rate, the country would record an annualised output of approximately 61.4 tonnes.
However, reaching the 55-tonne target will depend on maintaining or improving delivery levels during the final four months of the year.
Zimbabwe needs approximately 23.8 tonnes between September and December to reach the 55-tonne target, equivalent to an average of roughly 6 tonnes per month.
The August performance therefore represents a strong contribution towards the annual target, although sustained deliveries will be required through the remainder of the year.
ASM target remains ambitious
The ZMF’s 45-tonne target for the small-scale mining sector remains a key measure of the sector’s contribution to national gold output.
The August delivery of nearly four tonnes demonstrates the capacity of the sector to generate substantial volumes, although achieving the annual target will require strong performance during the remaining months of 2026.
The latest figures also reinforce the importance of maintaining formalisation initiatives and improving the efficiency of gold marketing channels serving small-scale producers.
Zimbabwe’s gold sector has increasingly relied on the ASM sector to drive national deliveries, while investment into large-scale operations is expected to provide an additional source of production growth over the longer term.
With August deliveries rising both month-on-month and year-on-year, the latest FGR figures point to continued momentum in Zimbabwe’s gold sector as the country enters the final quarter of 2026. (High)
