Online Reporter
. . . Put suburb’s residents at risk with their operation
Conrad Mupesa in KADOMA
EIGHT men dug a ten-metre deep shaft in Marlborough, Harare, and ran an illegal mining operation, including blasting activities, in the suburb before police pounced and arrested them on Sunday.
They had been running the mine for four years.
Authorities say the operation had been running since 2022, with tonnes of ore being extracted.
The dramatic discovery has raised fears over public safety with concerns that underground excavations and blasting could have endangered homes, residents and the area’s geological stability.
Speaking yesterday, while officially opening a three-day Ministry of Mines and Mining Development 2026 Mid-Term Performance Review and Second Half Reset Workshop in Kadoma, Minister Polite Kambamura said his Ministry does not authorise mining activities in residential areas. The workshop is assessing progress towards increasing mineral production, promoting investment, strengthening mine safety, enhancing local content, creating employment opportunities and maximising value from the country’s vast mineral resources.
“As the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, we do not issue licences for mining operations in urban residential areas,” he said.
“We have noticed that some people are clandestinely mining at their residences, drilling and blasting, thereby causing environmental damage.
“This is unacceptable and I would like to urge other Government departments to work with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to identify where illegal mining is taking place so that we bring the culprits to book.”
Min Kambamura said a Whole-of-Government approach was needed to tackle the scourge of illegal mining, which has resulted in loss of life, environmental degradation and destruction of property.
He cited recent incidents highlighting the dangers posed by illegal mining activities.
In Penhalonga, Manicaland, where illegal miners used concealed underground tunnels to extract ore.
The operation was exposed after eight miners died when a shaft collapsed.
The tunnels were accessed through a dummy tuckshop.
Min Kambamura added that the country earned approximately US$5,73 billion from mineral exports in the first half of 2026, comprising US$2,532 billion marketed through the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe and about US$3,20 billion from gold exports.
