derick.khumalo
Judith Phiri
[email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Artisanal and Small-Scale Women Miners Association (ZASWMA) has said it will champion the growth of responsible women miners who undertake sustainable extraction, are formalised and become environmental stewards.
This comes at a time more women are joining Zimbabwe’s mining sector, driven by policy shifts and economic opportunities, increasingly breaking barriers and establishing a powerful footprint across the mining value chain, transitioning from artisanal miners to industrial mine owners and corporate executives.
Speaking at the Women in Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Conference, held alongside Mine Entra 2026 on Thursday, ZASWMA chairperson, Mrs Kundai Chikonzo Midzi said responsible women miners lead by example through environmental stewardship, legal compliance and community safety.
“We need to train responsible women miners. You will hear about issues to do with mercury free production, responsible sourcing and education. We are saying we have issues to do with occupational health and safety.
“Other issues that need to be addressed is that if we go to suppliers for personal protective equipment (PPE), we are failing to get sizes as women. This is because naturally we are born with those genes where some are big, so we also need that to be catered for,” she said.
She called for responsible sourcing from women miners as the association also promote environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.
Mrs Midzi said the mining sector also faces scrutiny regarding its ESG practices, calling on women miners to lead by example and increase awareness of sustainability.
“As we continue to grow our mining operations as women, integrating ESG principles is not just a regulatory requirement, it is a pathway to sustainable growth and improved community relations. Today, every woman who attended this conference is going to walk away with a tree as we encourage and promote being environmental stewards. We want to see these tree planted in your mines and not at your backyards at home,” she added.
She said as part of its strategic approach, ZASWMA also values women miners exchange programmes as a powerful tool for strengthening relationships and creating opportunities for one-on-one interactions.
Mrs Midzi said women miners contribute significantly to household livelihoods, community development, Zimbabwe’s economy, though they continue to face some challenges.
“We continue to face challenges such as informality, limited access to finance, health and safety risks, environmental concerns, and inadequate policy representation.
“To address these challenges, ZASWMA has adopted six strategic pillars that guide its work. Formalisation promotes legal recognition, compliance, and secure mining rights for women miners,” she said.
“Financial inclusion strengthens access to loans, savings, investment opportunities, and financial literacy. Health, safety and mental health focuses on safer workplaces, health awareness, personal protective equipment (PPE) use and mental wellbeing support.”
She said safeguarding ensures safe, inclusive mining environments free from harassment, violence, and discrimination.
Mrs Midzi said environmental stewardship encourages responsible mining practices, land rehabilitation, waste management and environmental conservation.
“Policy advocacy and implementation amplifies women miners’ voices in decision-making and promotes gender-responsive policies.
Together, these six pillars form a roadmap for creating an inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable mining sector where women miners can thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development,” she added.
The association together with partners organised the conference to provide a platform for dialogue, networking and collaboration among women participating across Zimbabwe’s mining value chain.
