Staff Reporter
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF), the largest representative body for artisanal and small-scale miners, is set to host a crucial strategic meeting this month to solidify partnerships and strategies aimed at achieving a groundbreaking 40 tonnes of gold production in 2025.
This ambitious goal builds on Zimbabwe’s remarkable gold deliveries of 36.48 tonnes in 2024, an impressive 21.22% increase from 2023’s output of 30.7 tonnes.
ZMF President, Henrietta Rushwaya confirmed the meeting during an interview with the Harare Post.
“We are targeting 40 tonnes in 2025 and will convene a strategic meeting to chart the way forward. There is need for collaboration between small-scale miners, who contributed 23,745.64 kg in 2024, and large-scale operations, which added 12,741.11 kg to the nation’s record-breaking total,” said Rushwaya.
She noted that the upcoming meeting will tackle critical challenges that threaten the sector’s growth, particularly for small-scale miners, who remain the backbone of Zimbabwe’s gold production.
“Key issues to be addressed include foreign currency retention policies, ensuring miners retain adequate foreign exchange to reinvest in operations. Access to modern equipment, providing miners with advanced tools to boost efficiency and output. Formalization of artisanal miners and streamlining the regulatory framework to support informal miners’ transition into formal operations,” she said.
Rushwaya, also informed that, the ZMF will also prioritize fostering local and international partnerships to ensure miners have access to necessary resources as well as explore opportunities to invest in cutting-edge technologies. This includes improving environmental and social governance (ESG) compliance to align with global best practices.
She further highlighted the importance of building a unified gold sector to achieve the 2025 target.
“With the right support and collaboration, we believe we can reach and even surpass the 40-tonne mark. The federation aims to create a supportive environment for miners, encouraging both small- and large-scale operators to work together toward a common goal,” she explained.
As Zimbabwe builds on the successes of 2024, the ZMF leadership remains optimistic about the industry’s future. The federation’s strategic initiatives and commitment to fostering innovation and sustainability are expected to propel Zimbabwe’s gold mining sector forward. The 40-tonne target for 2025 is more than an aspiration; it is a path to economic prosperity and industrial growth for the nation.
