Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
THE leader and founder of Women in Mining Zimbabwe (WIMZ), Dr Faith Mutete, has urged the formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining, capacity building, and a grassroots-driven approach to mining governance to ensure that female miners reap equitable benefits from the sector.
Speaking at the prestigious Community Voices Awards (CVA) ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa recently, Dr Mutete said a transformative shift in mining policies is crucial for the economic empowerment of women in the industry.
The CVA celebrates individuals championing grassroots initiatives and advocating for responsible mining practices, and Dr Mutete was one of this year’s distinguished award recipients and panellists.
“There is an urgent need for a transformative approach to mining governance, prioritising formalisation, capacity building, and community-led initiatives, to ensure women miners have equal access to benefits and opportunities derived from natural resources, on par with our male counterparts,” she said.
Dr Mutete stressed that legal recognition, access to financial resources, and regulatory support are fundamental in ensuring that miners, particularly women, operate in safe, sustainable, and profitable conditions.
“Without formalisation, miners remain trapped in cycles of vulnerability. We need policies that protect them while promoting economic sustainability,” she said.
She stressed the significance of capacity-building training provided by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) and Fidelity Gold Refinery through the Zimbabwe School of Mines. The training, she noted, played a pivotal role in equipping her with essential technical knowledge, compliance strategies, and leadership skills, enabling her to drive initiatives that uplift mining communities.
“As women miners, we strongly advocate for a bottom-to-top approach in mining policy formulation. I urge for policies and interventions that should be based on the realities of miners on the ground, rather than being imposed from the top down,” she said.
Dr Mutete emphasised the importance of engaging women, youth, and artisanal miners directly to craft policies that genuinely address their needs. She called on responsible authorities to develop gender-sensitive policies, strengthen safety regulations, and implement financial inclusion programs to ensure that women miners fully participate in and benefit from the industry.
“Efforts to formalise artisanal mining have seen some success stories, but there is still much to be done in terms of access to resources, legal frameworks, and support systems for miners,” said Dr Mutete.
She further called for stronger collaboration between governments, private sector stakeholders, and communities to create policies and interventions that ensure both the economic viability and safety of small-scale mining operations.
Dr Mutete, who hails from Mberengwa in the Midlands Province, has dedicated her career to advancing gender equality, sustainability, and economic empowerment for women miners. Her journey is one of resilience and determination, rising from an artisanal small-scale miner to becoming a global advocate for women in mining.
Through her work with WIMZ, Dr Mutete has left a lasting impact, from rescuing children from hazardous mining conditions to equipping female miners with business skills, and helping them thrive in a male-dominated industry.
Her advocacy continues to inspire a new generation of female miners, proving that with the right policies, support systems, and determination, women can take their rightful place in the country’s mining sector and beyond.
