Online Reporter
Judith Phiri,Zimpapers Business Hub
THE Government has reiterated its calls for artisanal and small-scale miners to formalise their operations so that they can operate with security and dignity, as they continue to be the backbone of the gold sub-sector.
It is estimated that the number of artisanal and small-scale miners in Zimbabwe vary from a range of 500 000 to over 1.5 million, including farmers who do a little gold panning in the off season. These miners are involved in gold extraction, but they also mine other minerals like lithium, diamonds and gemstone.
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) on Friday held the Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners Conference, strategically positioned as the closing conference of the prestigious Mining, Engineering and Transport exhibition (Mine Entra) 2025 Expo.
In a keynote address read on behalf of the Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando by Deputy Minister responsible for Oil and Gas Research including other Strategic Minerals Exploration, Caleb Makwiranzou, he said formalisation was non-negotiable.
“To fully realise the economic potential of artisanal and small scale miners and operate with security and dignity, formalisation is non-negotiable. I strongly encourage all artisanal miners to formalise their operations and unite under umbrella bodies like ZMF. This empowers you to speak with one voice, enhances self-governance and simplifies engagement with Government and other stakeholders,” he said.
He said the contribution of the artisanal and small-scale miners sector has only grown more significant and reports indicate that for the period up to August 2025, total gold deliveries stood at an impressive 28.5 metric tonnes as amall scale miners contributed 14.6 metric tonnes translating to 51.2 percent.
Minister Chitando said the small-scale and artisanal miners continue to be the backbone of our gold sub-sector, consistently contributing the largest share of this output, while this was a testament to their resilience and entrepreneurial spirit.
He added: “Beyond gold, the artisanal and small-scale miners sector is vital in chrome and semi-precious stones. More importantly, the sector has catalysed local industrial development, fostering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that manufacture equipment and supply chemicals. This creation of backward and forward linkages is a key pillar of our National Development Strategy, and you are at the centre of it.”
The Minister said his Ministry and the Government at large, remain unwavering in their support for the artisanal and small-scale miners sector.
He said interventions such as the Gold Development Fund and the Mining Industry Loan Fund (MILF) are designed to provide the necessary capital and equipment.
“We continue to lobby for increased funding for these facilities. Furthermore, we are establishing Service Centres nationwide to be a one-stop-shop for equipment hire, technical support and mineral purchasing.
“We are also addressing market inefficiencies. The Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) is actively streamlining the marketing of coloured gemstones to unlock the vast potential of this sub-sector,” he said.
“Yet, Government cannot do this alone. I call upon the private sector, financial institutions, and development partners to actively pursue the immense opportunities within the artisanal and small-scale miners’ sector value chain.”
Minister Chitando said the strategic partnerships being forged by ZMF are a model they applaud and encourage, while it was through such collaborations that they can introduce modern machinery, efficient technologies, and tailored financial products that will catapult the sector into a new era of productivity and sustainability.
The conference was held under the theme: “Shaping the Future of Small-Scale Mining in Zimbabwe; A Conference for Change.”
