The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has raised alarm over a growing fraud scandal in the gold sector, where some Chinese nationals are allegedly adulterating gold with tungsten to inflate its weight and value.
The illicit practice poses a serious threat to the stability of the mining industry and the country’s economic health.
ZMF president Henrietta Rushwaya revealed that perpetrators are drilling into gold bars and inserting tungsten — a metal selected for its high density and hardness — to evade standard verification methods.
Because tungsten closely mimics the weight of gold, the tampered bars can easily pass routine inspections.
“This criminal conduct is depriving the nation of essential revenue,” said Rushwaya.
“We call upon security agencies to conduct a rigorous investigation and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.”
Zimbabwe’s mining sector contributes approximately 60% of national exports, making the integrity of gold production critical to the country’s economic survival.
By artificially inflating the weight of gold delivered to Fidelity Gold Refinery, the perpetrators are effectively siphoning funds from the national treasury, depriving the government of revenue needed for public services and infrastructure.
Chinese involvement in Zimbabwe’s mining sector has grown significantly over the past two decades, particularly in gold, chrome, and lithium extraction.
While these investments have contributed to increased production and employment in some areas, they have also been accompanied by concerns over regulatory compliance, environmental degradation, and allegations of illicit activities in certain operations.