ZIMBABWE has intensified its push to formalise artisanal mining, with 300 miners graduating with certificates from a State-backed training programme in Chegutu, as authorities move to improve safety, compliance and production.
The initiative — funded by Mutapa Gold Resources (MGR) and delivered with Magaya Mining and the Zimbabwe School of Mines — targets improved safety, compliance and productivity in a sector that now anchors national gold output.
Officiating at the graduation ceremony on Thursday, Mines and Mining Development minister Polite Kambamura said the programme signals a shift towards more structured and accountable mining.
“I believe with the skills developed here, we look forward to seeing improvement on compliance, safety, and improved mining standards, which is a binding obligation,” Kambamura said.
“I am reliably informed that the certificate each graduate is receiving today is a passport to formality. My ministry takes that designation seriously.”
He said the model aligns with the National Development Strategy 2 and will be rolled out nationwide through partnerships with mining companies and training institutions.
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“We have been knocking on the doors of our mining companies, seeking partnership to formalise this important subsector. I'm glad to report that we have received much support,” he said.
Mutapa Gold Resources chief executive Patrick Maseva-Shayawabaya said the programme reflects a shift in industry attitudes towards artisanal miners.
“For the certification of 300, it is not a small scale miners. For Mutapa Gold Resources, it is not just a graduation ceremony. It is a statement of intent that Zimbabwe can grow its gold production responsibly, safely, and inclusively while protecting the environment and improving livelihoods in our communities,” he said.
“Gone are the days when we used to have drones just to spot where the artisanal miners are, so that we could chase them away. We now see them as partners.”
He said the company plans to replicate the Elvington artisanal mining model at Jena Mines in the Midlands and Phoenix Gold Mine in Bindura.
Zimbabwe School of Mines principal Edwin Gwaze said the training responds directly to national priorities.
“The training at Elvington Mine serves as a direct response to these national imperatives, providing miners with a passport to formality,” Gwaze said.
“Today marks a defining moment, not just for the 300 individuals standing before us, but for the very future of Zimbabwe's mining industry.”
Trainees covered mining methods, occupational safety, financial management and logistics.
Artisanal and small-scale miners have become the backbone of Zimbabwe’s gold sector, contributing about 75% of deliveries to Fidelity Gold Refinery last year. In 2025, the sub-sector delivered 34,9 tonnes, helping push total output to a record 46,7 tonnes.
The surge has been driven by firm global prices, policy support and gradual formalisation. Yet the sector remains dogged by unsafe conditions, environmental damage and inefficiencies — challenges authorities hope training will address.
Kambamura said the Chegutu programme reflects a shift from corporate social responsibility to long-term investment.
“This is what enlightened corporate citizenship looks like in practice… This is a corporate investment that we are witnessing here. When these people are empowered, we have empowered our nation,” he said, commending MGR for funding the programme.