Zimbabwe School of Mines urged to expand training to all provinces to empower small‑scale miners

THE Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM) should decentralise its operations from Bulawayo to service the whole country and unlock mining opportunities through skills empowerment, especially for artisanal small scale miners, Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Engineer Fred Moyo, has said.

With Artisanal Small scale Miners (ASM) increasingly becoming key economic players, he said skills development must be prioritised to ensure the country unlocks its full mining potential.

Founded in 1926 within the confines of Gifford High School, the Zimbabwe School of Mines began as a pioneering initiative aimed at providing specialised education for aspiring miners.

The institution started with just 39 students, laying the foundation for what would become a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s mining education.

Today, ZSM stands as a beacon of excellence in mining education within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.

“The Zimbabwe School of Mines should start to decentralise its operations to all provinces because we believe that there is need to reach the artisanal small-scale miners across the country who are becoming the core or backbone of the country’s mining sector,” Deputy Minister Moyo said.

Addressing Miners4ED at a recent workshop in Gweru, the Deputy Minister said decentralisation did not entail constructing new buildings or classrooms.

“The school will not be constructing new buildings in provinces, but rather deploying lecturers to hold classes with students nationwide,” he said. “Decentralisation does not mean construction of schools, but rather having experts visit provinces and share knowledge with the ASM in their areas,” he said.

Moyo said the move was part of the Government’s efforts to support small scale miners, who contribute significantly to the country’s gold deliveries.

ASM account for between 60 and 70 percent of Zimbabwe’s gold output, and the Government aims to boost production in line with Vision 2030.

“By taking education to the people, we are empowering our small-scale miners with the skills and knowledge needed to drive the sector forward. The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the country’s mining industry and contribute to economic growth,” said Deputy Minister Moyo.

Zimbabwe officially delivered 46,7 tonnes of gold to Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR), the country’s exclusive buyer of the yellow metal, in 2025 — the highest output in national history, surpassing the previous record of 36,5 tonnes set in 2024.

Behind the record-breaking figures lies a powerful reality: artisanal and small scale miners were responsible for nearly three quarters of the gold that achieved this milestone.

Small scale producers delivered 34,87 tonnes, representing 74,5 percent of total output.

Across the country’s gold belts, their shafts, pits and processing plants form the backbone of Zimbabwe’s gold revival.

While small scale miners drove volume, large scale producers contributed 11.8 tonnes, providing essential stability to the sector.

Deputy Minister Moyo said the ZSM was a positive establishment for the country’s economic development as Zimbabwe works towards Vision 2030.

“If you go across the country, you will realise the socio-economic development that is being recorded across the country, which is a result of the ASM who are involved in development projects using proceeds from the natural resources,” he said.