Online Reporter
Judith Phiri [email protected]
THE Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has called for a comprehensive agenda to transform the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector into a safer, productive and commercially viable sector, calling for improved access to mining titles, finance, technology and technical skills.
This comes as fatalities continue to be recorded in Zimbabwe’s mining sector, heightening calls for stronger safety measures, improved technical capacity and greater formalisation of artisanal and small-scale mining operations.
In a keynote address read on behalf of the ZMF president Ms Henrietta Rushwaya by the chief executive officer (CEO) Mr Wellington Takavarasha at the Mining Safety and Rehabilitation Symposium held at the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) on Friday, she said they had set a practical ZMF agenda for responsible ASM sector.
“Artisanal and small-scale mining should be recognised as a permanent component of Zimbabwe’s mining economy, with regulations tailored to support the sector’s responsible and sustainable development.
“There is a need to build a clear pathway that would enable miners to transition from artisanal activities to safer, more productive and commercially viable small-scale mining operations,” she said.
“As part of the transformation, ZMF proposes greater support for cooperative and syndicate models, which would allow miners to pool resources and share machinery, technical personnel and environmental services.”
She said there was need to develop mining service centres closer to producing communities for licensing, assay, technical advice, training and compliance support.
Ms Rushwaya called for the use of production gains to fund safer mine development, rehabilitation and local economic development as well as adopting a ‘zero avoidable fatalities’ culture while recognising that safety is inseparable from access to title, finance, technology and skills.
The proposed approach seeks to address the underlying challenges confronting artisanal and small-scale miners while creating an environment that supports formalisation, improved productivity, responsible mining and safer working conditions.
She added: “Responsible mining plans should cover mine design, ground support, ventilation, water management, explosives, personal protective equipment (PPE), emergency response and closure. Formal operations can improve access to finance and equipment, making mechanisation and safer working methods more realistic.”
Ms Rushwaya said traceable mineral supply chains strengthen accountability and can reduce leakage into informal markets, while training and licensing were critical with a 2026 proposal from ZSM calling for a certified responsible person on small-scale mining sites.
She said Zimbabwe’s ASM sector has become a major source of gold production, livelihoods and local economic activity, delivering 34,875.10 kilogrammes (kg) to Fidelity Gold Refinery in 2025, compared with national deliveries pegged at 46 tonnes.
“The ASM sector supports large numbers of direct miners, processing workers, transporters, equipment operators, traders and service providers.
“There is local development as mining activity sustains demand for transport, food, accommodation, engineering, fabrication, equipment hire and other services. While also promoting entrepreneurship and inclusion, as the sector provides entry points for small businesses, cooperatives, syndicates, women and youth,” she said.
Ms Rushwaya said Fidelity Gold Refinery also reported that ASM deliveries rose sharply in 2026 and accounted for roughly three-quarters of recorded national deliveries.
She said monthly data also demonstrate the sector’s capacity to respond quickly to prices, buying arrangements and access to markets.
Ms Rushwaya said: “The priority interventions include accelerating regularisation and simplifying access to mining title for genuine operators, making basic mine plans and risk assessments practical, affordable and mandatory. As well as establishing and strengthening district safety and technical support teams for ASM sector.”
She said expanding certified training in ground control, blasting, ventilation, first aid and environmental management by institutions such as ZSM was important.
While improved incident reporting, investigation and rapid emergency response as well as strengthening environmental monitoring, tailings management and progressive land rehabilitation will go a long way.
The two-day symposium ran under the theme: “Zero Fatalities, Responsible Mining and Sustainable Rehabilitation in the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Sector.”
Blessing Chizhande