Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
The Government has commissioned the Makaha Gold Service Centre in Mudzi District as part of efforts to improve the ease of doing business for small-scale miners and boost gold production.
The centre is expected to increase small-scale mining productivity, strengthen formal gold deliveries and build local capacity, supporting the attainment of Vision 2030.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Dr Polite Kambamura, who was represented at the commissioning ceremony by his deputy, Dr Caleb Makwiranzou, commended small-scale miners for their contribution to the mining sector.
“Zimbabwe is blessed with a rich geological endowment, and gold has been the heartbeat of our mining story for generations,” he said.
“Behind the record national gold production figures are men and women in places like Makaha who are mining gold.
“These are the people we are here to serve, and I salute their resilience. Our Government has set a bold ambition for the mining sector, and gold is central to that ambition.
“The Artisanal and Small-scale Mining subsector has become the powerhouse of our gold production and has been delivering the majority of the gold received by Fidelity Gold Refinery.”
He said gold earnings are central to infrastructure developments occurring across Zimbabwe.
“Gold has emerged as one of our leading foreign currency earners, and its contribution to the fiscus through royalties, taxes and export earnings strengthens our capacity to finance public services and infrastructure. The ministry will continue to take decisive policy steps to nurture the sector,” he said.
Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, who was represented by the Director Finance, Administration and Human Resources in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mashonaland East Province Mr Douglas Dzukwa, said the gold service centre is a welcome development in the province, as it will transform lives for many people.
“The establishment of this gold milling centre is not about infrastructure; it is about transforming lives,” he said.
“It is about creating opportunities for our people, formalising the mining sector and ensuring that the wealth beneath our soil directly benefits our communities.
“For too long, many of our small-scale miners have faced challenges such as a lack of access to proper milling facilities, exploitation and unsafe working conditions.
“This centre addresses these challenges by providing a modern, efficient and safer environment for gold processing.
“It will enhance productivity, improve gold recovery rates and ultimately increase incomes for our miners.”
