Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo and Elliot Ziwira
Small-scale miners, often operating in remote and rugged terrains, may not command the attention or machinery of global mining giants, but their contribution to the world’s mineral supply chain is immense.
From gold panners in the valleys of Insiza District in Matabeleland South, to gemstone diggers in the hills of Mutoko, Mashonaland Province, these miners form the heartbeat of a trillion-dollar global industry.
Across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, small-scale and artisanal miners produce nearly 20 percent of the world’s gold, and significant portions of minerals like cobalt, tin, and lithium, which are essential for green technologies; from electric vehicle batteries to solar panels.
What many may dismiss as informal or rudimentary work sustains millions of households and powers the clean energy transition.
In Zimbabwe, this reality is even more pronounced.
Small-scale mining goes beyond livelihood trajectories to become a cornerstone of national survival and economic resilience. Employing over 300 000 people, the sector now delivers more gold than large-scale mining companies, making it one of the country’s most critical foreign currency earners.
Yet, despite their importance, small-scale miners face persistent hurdles, including limited access to capital, outdated technologies, lack of geological data, environmental concerns, and the need for stronger regulation and professionalisation.
This is where Mine Entra comes in.
Since its inception in 1995, the Mine Entra Expo has evolved into Zimbabwe’s premier platform for showcasing innovation, investment, and collaboration in the mining, engineering, and transport sectors.
Organised by the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company in partnership with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe, and the Zimbabwe Miners Federation, is a bridge between informal miners and the formal economy, and not just an exhibition.
Running under the theme “Beyond Extraction: Sustaining the Future of Mining”, the 2025 edition of Mine Entra is not only celebrating technological progress, but also advancing the conversation on sustainable mining, formalisation, and inclusive growth.
According to Young Miners Foundation chief executive officer, Mr Payne Kupfuwa, Mine Entra has been a critical driver of growth for Zimbabwe’s small-scale miners.
“Most of the developments that happened within the YMF and the small-scale miners’ community are benefits from Mine Entra, where we have been able to get affordable supplies, investors, and key services,” he recently said in an interview.
“We also benefit from informative conferences, which give insights and oversight of what is going on in the industry.”
For many small-scale operators, Mine Entra is where ideas translate into partnerships. It is where a miner from Gwanda, Matabeleland South, might meet a supplier from China, or a policymaker from Harare, and walk away with tools, contacts, and knowledge that transform operations back home.
Small-scale miners in Zimbabwe have long sought to shed the label of “artisanal”, a term often associated with informality and environmental degradation.
However, through engagement at Mine Entra, players are redefining their image. They are entrepreneurs, job creators, and economic contributors deserving of recognition and support.
Mr Kupfuwa highlighted that the expo has helped miners explore new mineral frontiers beyond gold, including gemstones, lithium, and chrome, broadening the country’s mineral portfolio and aligning it with global demand trends.
The ZMF Small-Scale and Artisanal Miners Conference, to be held as a key closing event of Mine Entra tomorrow, gives the sector a dedicated voice.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation chief executive officer, Mr Wellington Takavarasha, described it as a “collaborative ecosystem that drives formalisation, modernisation, and sustainable development.”
The conference, he added, brings together regulators, financiers, and miners under one roof to devise actionable strategies for the sector’s growth.
Expected outcomes include: enhanced understanding of mining regulations, including the new Mines and Minerals Bill; public-private dialogue on sustainability and compliance; improved access to financing, technology, and markets; and a clear formalisation pathway for artisanal and small-scale miners.
Bongani Ndlovu