Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, Zimpapers Reporter
THE Government commissioned a US$1,2 million gold milling centre in Zvishavane, as the Second Republic steps up efforts towards formalising and industrialising the small-scale mining sector, a move expected to significantly raise gold output, curb leakages and transform rural livelihoods in line with Vision 2030.
The project, funded by indigenous investor Anmack Mining (Pvt) Ltd, is one of the most comprehensive public-private initiatives aimed at bringing artisanal miners into the formal economy, providing modern processing services to over 1 000 miners from Runde and Ngezi and positioning Midlands Province as a powerhouse in the country’s gold value chain.
Commissioning the facility, Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Owen Ncube said the investment marks a turning point in Zimbabwe’s drive to build a US$40 billion mining economy by 2030.
He noted that small-scale miners, who delivered 25 of the 33 tonnes sold to Fidelity in the first nine months of 2025, can only grow with access to safer, efficient and environmentally responsible technology.
“Furthermore, in the first nine months of 2025 alone, the national gold output delivered to Fidelity Refiners was 33 tonnes, with small-scale miners contributing 25 tonnes, which is highly commendable as it demonstrates the central role small-scale miners play in sustaining gold output and economic growth at large,” said Minister Ncube.
The centre boasts a 25-tonne/hour crusher, 40-tonne leaching tanks, modern smelting and amalgamation facilities, a 500-tonne elution boiler, round mills, hammer mills and dual stamp mills — equipment that artisanal miners say was previously beyond their reach.
“The investment stands as a beacon of progress for the Zvishavane mining community and underlines the crucial role of the private sector in Zimbabwe’s realisation of a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society underpinned by responsible mining, environmental stewardship and formalisation of the sector, including the sale of gold to Fidelity Printers, as the economy seek a US$ 40 billion mining economy by 2030,” said Minister Ncube.
He said mining anchors the Midlands Provincial GDP, and its contribution towards national production for 2024 was 36 percent.
The facility created 167 jobs during construction, with more expected as operations expand.
Minister Ncube said the project demonstrates how local investors are seizing opportunities created through the Second Republic’s pro-development policies.
“Furthermore, today’s event resonates with the Second Republic under the astute leadership of President Mnangagwa’s pursuit of Rural Industrialisation and desire for value addition and beneficiation, a source for locally extracted natural resources guided by the philosophy, Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatirwa nevene vayo,” he said.
Anmack Mining has also invested in community development—rehabilitating dip tanks, installing solar power at Gudo Clinic, improving roads and supporting vulnerable children, efforts Minister Ncube said exemplify genuine corporate citizenship.
“I am reliably informed that in future, Anmack plans to upgrade this milling centre for increased capacity and further empower artisanal miners from Zvishavane. This directly supports the Second Republic’s innovation, modernisation and industrialisation development trajectory as we transition from the highly successful National Development Strategy 1 to the National Development Strategy 2, set to accelerate,” he said.
Artisanal miners, long constrained by lack of capital and modern equipment, described the centre as a lifeline.
“We are grateful for this opportunity. This plant will change the lives of miners and the community. It gives us dignity and a chance to contribute meaningfully to our district’s GDP,” said Mr Abel Shumba.
“The private-public sector partnership is bearing fruit, especially for this community, because this is the first of its kind, and we are really humbled and grateful. We will make sure that this thing will be safeguarded for posterity.”
Sabi Gold Mine board chairperson, Mr Oliver Mtasa, said the initiative is designed to bring youths and women into the mainstream economy.
“We came up with this initiative so that youths and women can participate in the mainstream economy through mining activities. We believe in giving a man the rod rather than giving him fish,” he said.
“We are here to empower our youths so that we achieve our President’s vision of a mining economy.”
Mr Mtasa said the donation will ensure artisanal miners in the district realise their mining potential and ability to contribute to the growth of the sector.
Zvishavane-Runde legislator Cde Freddy Moyo said the development reflects investor confidence in the Government’s engagement and re-engagement efforts.
“This centre will uplift thousands of families. It is evidence that partnership with Government works, and that rural communities can be drivers of national growth,” he said.
With gold remaining Zimbabwe’s top foreign currency earner, the commissioning of the Zvishavane centre is being viewed as a critical boost to national gold delivery, formalisation of the sector and the broader industrialisation thrust at the heart of Vision 2030.
