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In a historic achievement for the nation’s mining sector, Zimbabwe has officially surpassed the government’s 40-tonne gold delivery target for 2025, with cumulative deliveries to Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) reaching a monumental 41,787.3441 kg at the end of November, Mining Zimbabwe can exclusively report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The latest monthly data, which solidifies this record-breaking year, shows a strong recovery in November following an October dip. Total deliveries for the month rose to 4,234.2956 kg, a 1.91% increase from October’s 4,154.9592 kg.
This November push was crucial in cementing the annual milestone. The large-scale mining sector led the monthly charge with a powerful 8.13% surge, delivering 1,000.096 kg, up from 924.8947 kg in October. The artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector, the undisputed engine of this year’s success, maintained its relentless pace with a slight 0.13% increase to 3,234.1996 kg, up from 3,230.0645 kg the previous month.
The figure of 41,787.3441 kg (approximately 41.79 tonnes) for January to November not only crosses the 40-tonne finish line but does so with a full month to spare. This achievement validates the bullish forecasts made by industry leaders throughout the year and sets the stage for a final year-end total that could approach 46 tonnes.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) President Ms Henrietta Rushwaya’s confidence, expressed at MineEntra, has now been decisively proven correct.
“As small-scale miners, we have escalated our gold production to the extent that as of the end of September, our production combined with the large-scale miners had risen up to 33 tonnes of gold,” Rushwaya had stated. “I’m sure Fidelity with your indulgence and concurrence will gladly surpass the 40 tonnes of gold which we had committed to.”
The November data confirms that the sector did more than just “gladly surpass” the target; it has demolished it ahead of schedule. The ASM sector’s contribution, representing over 76% of November’s total and consistently dominating monthly output, has been the single most critical factor in this national success story.
This year’s performance marks a dramatic upswing. The consistent month-on-month strength, barring minor fluctuations, points to a transformed and formalising sector. Analysts attribute the success to a confluence of factors: Fidelity Gold Refinery’s competitive pricing, which has remained above US$115 per gram, a renewed focus on supporting small-scale miners, and improved regulatory mechanisms that have increased confidence in formal channels.
The surpassing of the 40-tonne target carries significant economic weight. Gold is Zimbabwe’s single largest foreign currency earner, and this record output will substantially bolster the country’s reserve position and provide critical leverage in macroeconomic stability efforts.
With the target already secured, the focus for December shifts to the magnitude of the final surplus. The mining industry now has the opportunity to set a new benchmark for annual gold production in Zimbabwe’s modern era.
Industry stakeholders are already celebrating the milestone. “This is a testament to the collective effort of every miner, from the large corporates to the individual artisanal operators, and the supportive policies that have been enacted,” said a senior official within the mining hierarchy. “It shows that with the right environment, Zimbabwe’s mineral endowment can be harnessed for national development.”
As the final deliveries for December are tallied, the story of 2025 is no longer one of potential but of resounding achievement. Zimbabwe’s gold sector has delivered a historic performance, surpassing its flagship target and etching a new chapter of productivity and growth for the national economy.
