Martin Kadzere
NON-GOLD artisanal and small-scale miners are set to benefit from a US$63 million credit guarantee scheme established by the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) to help them access equipment and project financing, Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) Chairman Mr Jemister Chininga said.
The facility, structured through partnerships with local financial institutions FBC Bank and BancABC, is designed to enhance access to financing and modern mining machinery for small-scale operators, Mr Chininga told the corporation’s 2025 Annual General Meeting last week.
Initial implementation will prioritise chrome producers before extending to other non-gold mineral sectors.
Mr Chininga said the initiative aims to build local production capacity, modernise small-scale operations and integrate artisanal miners directly into formal, regulated mineral markets.
In the non-gold mining sector, artisanal operators dominate chrome mining and their activities remain haphazard because they lack the capital to formalise operations.
“The board sees this initiative as a means of strengthening production capacity and supporting participation in formal mineral markets,” said Mr Chininga.
“As implementation progresses, sound beneficiary assessment, repayment discipline and monitoring will remain essential to protecting the scheme’s sustainability and extending its reach.”
Access to capital has historically been a significant bottleneck for non-gold small-scale miners, often limiting output and encouraging informal trading channels. By bridging the financing gap, the new credit facility is expected to improve operational efficiency and safety across targeted mining communities.
Mr Chininga said that as Zimbabwe’s mining industry moves from raw exports to higher-value products, MMCZ supports downstream industrialisation through market development, partnerships and skills.
