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The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has clinched a crucial agreement with Dinson Iron and Steel Company (DISCO), which will see DISCO become an official chrome offtaker and machinery supplier for artisanal and small-scale chrome miners.
By Rudairo Mapuranga
Announcing the development after a tour of DISCO’s massive facility in Manhize, ZMF President Henrietta Rushwaya described the partnership as a “game-changer” for small-scale chrome miners. Many of these miners have long been excluded from value chains due to a lack of market access and limited access to affordable equipment.
“Dinson has agreed to become an offtaker of chrome from our small-scale miners,” Rushwaya said. “They will also supply our miners with the requisite machinery, which reduces downtime and increases production efficiency.”
The new arrangement means small-scale miners will now be able to sell chrome directly to DISCO and receive immediate payment—bypassing the bureaucratic red tape and costly delays associated with export formalities, such as CD1 forms and permits.
“This will revolutionise how our chrome miners operate,” said Rushwaya. “They will no longer go through the rigorous process of export documentation. DISCO will pay them directly and instantly, creating a sustainable and secure market for their output.”
Zimbabwe’s small-scale chrome sector has grown significantly over the past decade, with artisanal miners contributing a substantial portion of national production. However, erratic pricing, high logistical costs, and dependency on exports have hindered growth and limited income for thousands of miners.
Rushwaya said the collaboration with DISCO will inject certainty into the sector, ensure stability, and empower miners to scale up operations. With the availability of locally manufactured machinery, production bottlenecks—often caused by equipment breakdowns—are expected to decrease significantly.
“This initiative puts the chrome sector on a strong footing,” she added. “It shows that Zimbabwe’s mining industrialisation agenda is not just about large corporations—it is about uplifting the thousands of Zimbabweans in small-scale mining.”
She called on other mining firms and industrial players to take a leaf from DISCO’s model and forge inclusive partnerships that promote local procurement and domestic beneficiation.
“This is a shining example of how mining and manufacturing can work together to build Zimbabwe’s economy. We are proud to have DISCO as a partner in this national development journey,” Rushwaya concluded.
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation represents over 1.5 million artisanal and small-scale miners and is the country’s largest organised body for small-scale mining. With strategic collaborations such as this, ZMF is positioning itself as a driving force behind the formalisation, modernisation, and prosperity of Zimbabwe’s mining sector.
