Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
ARTISANAL and small-scale gold miners in Penhalonga have received a major boost following the opening of a Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) buying centre in the mining community, a development expected to increase formal gold deliveries while curbing illegal trading and smuggling.
The new development dovetails with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s call for the country to continue pushing for mineral value addition and beneficiation to unlock greater economic benefits.
In his speech during the 28th Mine Entra Conference las week, President Mnangagwa said: “Government will continue to implement enabling policies and programmes to ensure that we derive maximum benefits from the mining value chain. Together, we have a duty to manage our resources for increased local development, sustainability and economic sovereignty.”
President Mnangagwa also reminded investors that Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth belongs to its citizens, therefore, companies must manage those resources responsibly for future generations.
He said: “Zimbabwe, including all that which is on it, and under it, belongs to all its people. Investors, owners of claims and other stakeholders are the few that have been entrusted to steward resources under our land. This sacred duty must never be taken lightly.”
Located at Penhalonga Post Office, the new Fidelity Gold Refinery buying centre brings the country’s sole authorised gold buyer closer to hundreds of miners who previously had to travel long distances to sell their gold or resort to informal markets due to limited access to official channels.
The development follows a two-day accreditation exercise conducted last Friday and Saturday by Fidelity Gold Refinery in partnership with the Young Miners Foundation (YMF), during which 200 artisanal and small-scale miners were formally accredited.
The initiative is expected to improve sector compliance by enabling miners to trade legally while promoting transparency, traceability and better returns for producers.
YMF Manicaland provincial chairperson, Mr Ngonidzashe Maobvera, said the establishment of the buying centre will significantly weaken the influence of illegal gold buyers in mining communities.
“When legal markets become easily accessible, the attraction of the black market naturally diminishes. By bringing Fidelity Gold Refinery closer to the miners, Government has created a convenient, secure and transparent system that benefits everyone. We expect official gold deliveries to increase because miners now have a trusted buyer within their community,” he said.
Mr Maobvera said the facility will also enhance the security of miners by eliminating the need to transport gold over long distances.
“Previously, some miners travelled considerable distances in search of markets, exposing themselves to criminals and illegal dealers. Having a buying centre within Penhalonga allows miners to sell closer to their operations, making the process safer, easier and more convenient,” he said.
He commended FGR for decentralising its services and engaging directly with mining communities.
“This is the kind of partnership that empowers miners while strengthening the country’s mining sector. When miners are supported, production increases, compliance improves and the nation benefits through higher foreign currency earnings,” he said.
Mr Maobvera described the accreditation exercise as a milestone for a sector that has become a significant contributor to Zimbabwe’s gold output.
“Zimbabwe’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector continues to play an increasingly important role in national gold deliveries. Government has consistently encouraged miners to use formal marketing channels in order to maximise foreign currency inflows and improve transparency within the industry.
“For years, many artisanal and small-scale miners struggled to access formal markets because they were not accredited. Some ended up selling their gold to illegal buyers, while others were tempted to smuggle the mineral across borders. This deprived both the miners and the nation of the full value of the gold produced,” he said.
Mr Maobvera said the partnership with Fidelity was specifically designed to integrate more miners into the formal economy.
“We partnered with Fidelity Gold Refinery to take the accreditation process directly to the miners. Instead of expecting miners to travel long distances, Fidelity came to their doorstep. This demonstrates a commitment to supporting the people who produce the gold and making it easier for them to participate in the formal market,” he said.
The accreditation exercise attracted a strong response, with at least 200 miners obtaining accreditation.
“The turnout exceeded our expectations. Miners understood the importance of becoming accredited because they now have an opportunity to sell their gold legally without fear or unnecessary delays. We are confident that even more miners will register during future exercises to accommodate those who could not attend this initial programme,” he said.
Mr Maobvera said the benefits of accreditation extended beyond facilitating legal gold sales.
“The gold card is more than just an identification document. It formally recognises miners within the industry and opens doors to opportunities that were previously inaccessible. Accredited miners can access funding opportunities, conduct secure and transparent transactions and receive payments through recognised channels,” he said.
He added that formalisation would strengthen accountability throughout the gold value chain.
“When gold is sold through official channels, every transaction becomes traceable. This improves accountability, boosts confidence in the sector and contributes to national economic growth because the country benefits from every ounce of gold produced.”
Mr Maobvera said YMF would continue working closely with Fidelity Gold Refinery to bring more artisanal and small-scale miners into the formal system.
He said the opening of the Penhalonga buying centre and the accreditation exercise marked another significant step towards formalising the mining sector, plugging leakages caused by illegal trade and ensuring that a greater share of Zimbabwe’s gold contributes directly to national economic development.
