Zimplats emerged as one of the biggest winners at the Association of Mine Managers of Zimbabwe (AMMZ) Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) Awards, with its mining operations securing the top two positions in the Best Performance category and recognition for technological innovation, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
The platinum producer’s Mupfuti Mine claimed the overall Best Performance award with a score of 98% in the 2026 SHE audits, while Mupane Mine finished as first runner-up with 97%.
Zimplats’ SMC Concentrator also featured among the second runners-up, underlining the group’s strong showing across the assessments.
Mupane Mine further strengthened the company’s performance by winning the Excellence in Sustainability Technology Innovation Award for introducing autonomous dump trucks in a room-and-pillar mining operation.
The awards were presented during AMMZ’s Annual General Meeting in Nyanga, where 20 mining sites, comprising 17 mines and three processing plants, were assessed across four regions.
Mupfuti’s 98% score reflected a high level of conformance with the audit requirements, with AMMZ presenter Tinashe Muzira describing the performance as evidence of a healthy management system capable of delivering results.
Mupane’s technology recognition highlighted the growing application of automation in improving safety and operational efficiency in underground mining.
According to Muzira, the operation began trials of autonomous dump trucks in 2022 and has since expanded the initiative to four fleets operated remotely from a surface control room.
The system has reduced direct human interaction with mobile equipment while allowing operators to perform their duties from workstations on the surface.
The innovation was recognised for demonstrating how technological advancement can improve safety, operational efficiency and sustainability in mining activities.
While Zimplats dominated the leading positions, Valterra’s Unki Mine also delivered a strong performance, scoring 96% to secure the second runner-up position alongside Unki Processing and Zimplats’ SMC Concentrator.
Industry Safety Gaps Remain
Beyond recognising top-performing operations, the AMMZ audits identified recurring weaknesses across participating mines, particularly in corrective action management, management of change, legal compliance, operational monitoring and housekeeping.
Muzira warned that delays in addressing hazards identified through inspections and safety meetings could create opportunities for workplace accidents.
He urged mine managers to strengthen accountability for corrective actions and ensure that completed interventions were assessed for effectiveness rather than simply being closed on paper.
The audits also identified gaps in tracking licence payments, expiry dates and regulatory conditions, alongside shortcomings in monitoring around-the-clock operations.
Some mines were reportedly conducting surveys during daytime hours despite operating 24 hours a day, while concerns were also raised over the competence of personnel undertaking surveys and the use of non-accredited laboratories to analyse samples.
Muzira said these weaknesses could compromise the reliability of operational monitoring results.
Housekeeping was identified as another important area, with Muzira emphasising its contribution to accident prevention, workplace stability and the development of a strong safety culture.
The awards also recognised improvements in SHE performance, with Aisha Mine recording the highest improvement at 25%, followed by Muriel Mine at 16% and Eureka Gold Mine at 13%.
Muzira, however, cautioned that high audit scores should not be confused with injury-free operations, saying the ultimate purpose of the assessments was to strengthen risk management and protect mineworkers.
“The purpose of this audit was not to get an award. It was to get an independent assessment, to benchmark, and to strengthen our SHE management practices,” he said.
He urged all participating mines to translate audit findings into effective risk management, consistent application of critical controls and safer working practices.
