Bulawayo, (New Ziana)-Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) has evolved from a largely informal livelihood activity into a major force in the mining industry, sustaining communities, feeding local value chains and accounting for the bulk of the gold deliveries, the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has said.
In an interview on Wednesday, ZMF chief executive officer Wellington Takavarasha said the sector, which has an estimated 1.5 million miners, should be recognised as a critical component of the mining industry and supported with policies that improve productivity, safety and sustainability.
“This year, ZMF is championing the interests of more than 1.5 million artisanal and small-scale miners across the country, highlighting their contribution to livelihoods, communities and national mineral production,” he said.
Small-scale miners produced 34.87 tons or about 74.5 percent of the record 46.7 tons of gold delivered to the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe owned Fidelity Gold Refinery last year.
The dominance continued into this year, with small-scale miners delivering 6.51 tons of gold in the first quarter, representing nearly 70 percent of the 9.31 tons produced during the period.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector in Zimbabwe contributes more than 65 percent of national gold production and supports about 500 000 miners.
Takavarasha stressed that the figures demonstrated the need to move beyond viewing ASM as a peripheral activity and instead create conditions that allow miners to expand production while operating safely and responsibly.
“Access to finance is critical in unlocking capital for equipment, expansion and improved production,” he said.
He also called for greater adoption of technology, arguing that mechanisation and modern processing methods could significantly improve productivity while reducing the risks associated with rudimentary mining and processing practices.
“Technology adoption is a key driver in promoting mechanisation and modern processing methods to boost efficiency and safety,” Takavarasha said.
Takavarasha also called for stronger environmental stewardship, improved occupational safety and better connections between miners as well as transparent markets and credible buyers.
Beyond gold, Takavarasha noted that the diverse mineral resource base in the country presented opportunities for ASM players to participate in the production of lithium, chrome, gemstones and other minerals, provided the necessary technical, financial and regulatory support was available.
The push for formalisation and modernisation comes against a broader African backdrop, where ASM has become a significant source of employment and mineral production.
The World Bank estimates that close to 10 million people are directly involved in artisanal and small-scale mining in sub-Saharan Africa, with at least another 60 million people depending on the sector for their livelihoods.
Africa also accounts for about 40 percent of global gold production, according to the World Bank, underlining the strategic importance of improving the productivity, traceability and sustainability of small-scale mining on the continent.
Globally, artisanal and small-scale gold mining accounts for about 20 percent of gold supply and provides livelihoods for more than 100 million people.
Takavarasha said unlocking the full potential of the sector would require coordinated intervention from ther government, investors, financial institutions, development partners and mining communities.
He said the ZMF was seeking to transform ASM into a more organised, sustainable and investment-ready sector capable of contributing even more to Zimbabwe’s mineral production and economic development.
New Ziana
