Online Reporter
Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent
RENCO Mine, a RioZim Limited subsidiary in Masvingo, has restarted operations after an 11-month shutdown, creating 356 new jobs and producing 20kg of gold since September 1, 2025.
The mine, which had 770 employees when it closed in the last quarter of 2024, has increased its workforce to 1 126, with the addition of 356 new staff members since resuming operations, marking a strong start for the company.
The reopening follows a hybrid approach to reviving operations.
Speaking on the revival yesterday, Rajgopal Swami, group chief executive officer for RioZim Limited, confirmed the positive impact on the workforce.
“Restarting the mine has resulted in the benefit of all stakeholders, including the surrounding Nyajena community,” he said.
“When the mine stopped operations in the last quarter of 2024, it had 770 employees. When it reopened in September 2025, 356 new employees were hired from the surrounding community, albeit on a fixed contract basis, bringing the total workforce to 1,126 as at the end of October 2025. This is clearly a positive development for the community that hosts Renco Mine.”
The mine’s revival, Mr Swami said, acts as a powerful economic multiplier for the entire community.
“Economic empowerment for the community has meant that there is widespread financial stability which permeates down to other community members by the spreading of purchasing power from the wage earners to the local service providers.
“Renco Mine has a peculiar characteristic. Nearly all the employees come from the surrounding areas and hinterland. There being very little alternative employment opportunities, the revival of Renco Mine acts as an economic multiplier like no other mine in Zimbabwe.”
He also revealed that since restarting, the company produced around 20kgs of gold, marking the beginning of its renewed contribution to both the community and the national economy.
“RioZim is proud of its ability to restart Renco Mine in the face of various hurdles set down by misguided individuals and organisations. The sacrifice of its employees and their dedication and support in these difficult times has not gone unnoticed, and the company is grateful to them and all other stakeholders such as government, creditors, financiers and other sources of support for enabling the revival and restart of Renco Mine.”
Meanwhile, following the successful reopening of Renco Mine in Masvingo, the company has set its sights on bringing its largest operation, Cam and Motor Mine in Eiffel Flats, Kadoma, back into full production.
Plans for the Cam and Motor Mine are now at an advanced stage, with the crucial process of dewatering the open-cast pit commencing towards the end of October.
“The plans are quite advanced with the dewatering of the open-cast pit having started towards the end of October,” he added.
He also revealed that the revival of other business units was at an advanced stage of planning, with Dalny Mine having been given out in a tribute structure to the Chakari community to ensure economic growth in the community.
“Illegal miners have been engaged and converted into legal artisanal miners, which is a win-win situation for both the company and the community, not to speak of the benefit to the country in the form of gold production.”
“It is indeed incomprehensible why a union formed for the purpose of protecting the rights of workers and advancing their welfare would be misguided enough to spread rumours that the structure is illegal and being used for the vested interests of certain individuals.”
Mr Swami also revealed that the group intends to put in place an extensive exploration plan which will extend the life of mine in Renco as well as Cam.
He also added that the group will explore the other claims and EPOs such that RioZim becomes a vibrant and healthy company which finds its place in the Zimbabwe economy, contributing to its growth and prosperity.
