Staff Reporter
Government has announced plans to establish 20 state-run gold centres across the country by end of 2025, aiming to curb illegal trade and revenue losses in the mineral sector.
Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Honourable Polite Kambamura, disclosed the initiative during an appearance before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden yesterday.
Deputy Minister Kambamura confirmed that the project, which has already commenced with pilot sites in Bubi and Makaradzi, seeks to centralise operations for small-scale miners.
“These centres will provide comprehensive support, including technical expertise, equipment, and regulated markets for artisanal miners. By consolidating these services, we aim to reduce gold leakages and ensure the sector’s contributions are fully captured within the national economy," he said.
Government has further pledged to bolster support for artisanal miners through enhanced funding, training programmes, and access to modern equipment.
Deputy Minister Kambamura noted that partnerships with financial institutions and technical agencies are being finalised to “democratise participation” in the sector.
The move forms part of broader efforts to formalise artisanal mining, a sector long plagued by informal practices and illicit trade.
Honourable Remigious Matangira, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee, emphasised the urgency of accelerating reforms.
“Formalisation remains critical to unlocking the sector’s potential. We are encouraged that government is prioritising this, including advancing the digital mining cadastre system to streamline licence management,” he stated.
Mining analysts and industry leaders have welcomed the strategy.
Economist Tendai Bere, a Harare-based resource governance specialist, described the gold centres as a “pragmatic step” towards transparency.
“Centralised hubs can disrupt smuggling networks by creating traceable supply chains. If implemented effectively, this could significantly boost official gold deliveries to Fidelity Gold Refinery,” he said.
Amother industry expert, Abigail Mupemhi, also highlighted the potential socio-economic benefits.
“Formalisation protects miners from exploitation and improves safety standards. State-backed centres could reduce conflicts over claims and encourage sustainable practices," said Mupemhi.
However, she cautioned that success hinges on “consistent policy enforcement and addressing corruption at local levels.”
Zimbabwe’s gold sector, which contributes over 60% of the nation’s mineral exports, has struggled with rampant smuggling, estimated to cost the economy over US$1.5 billion annually.
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has repeatedly flagged illicit gold trade as a threat to monetary stability.
The announcement of the establishment og gold centres comes amid heightened parliamentary scrutiny of mining reforms, with lawmakers urging swifter implementation of the cadastre system to resolve overlapping claims.
