New Guide Aims to Formalize Artisanal Gold Mining in Zimbabwe

Introduction to the Guide

At the annual planetGOLD Zimbabwe Stakeholders conference held on October 28-29, 2026, a new guide was launched to reform the formalization process for artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Zimbabwe. Nyaradzo Mutonhori, the Project Manager for planetGOLD Zimbabwe, presented an overview of the initiative and the guide’s significance during the opening remarks.

Overview of planetGOLD Zimbabwe's Goals

The planetGOLD Zimbabwe project aims to support over 7,500 miners spread across 11 districts, with a key goal of preventing approximately 4.85 tonnes of mercury emissions and promoting sustainable land management on 76,000 hectares in Zimbabwe. The newly launched guide serves as a comprehensive roadmap for the formalization of the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector.

Importance of Formalization

According to Mutonhori, this publication is crucial for enhancing environmental management and mercury reduction efforts as outlined in the Minamata Convention, to which Zimbabwe is a signatory. The guide was developed through extensive consultations with stakeholders, including ASGM miners, government representatives, and civil society organizations.

“We need to create a system where artisanal and small-scale miners are equipped and motivated to operate legally and responsibly,” emphasized Mutonhori. She noted that despite the sector’s importance to Zimbabwe’s economy, miners often encounter numerous obstacles, such as limited access to financing, technical training, and formal market opportunities.

Challenges Facing Artisanal Miners

While acknowledging the economic significance of artisanal mining, Mutonhori stressed the need to address why many miners operate outside formal systems. The guide aims to provide practical solutions to ensure the legal system recognizes and supports the realities faced by these miners, enabling their proper integration into the formal economy.

The guide’s recommendations are intended to contribute meaningfully to Zimbabwe’s ongoing mining sector reforms, particularly concerning the drafting of the Mines and Minerals Bill. Mutonhori stated that the publication follows a previous policy brief focused on the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, narrowing the focus specifically to reforming formalization practices.

Future Steps for Artisanal Mining in Zimbabwe

The initiative also received support from international partners such as the Global Environment Facility, the United Nations Environment Programme, and additional stakeholders. Abraham Matiza, representing the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Wildlife, acknowledged that this guide will serve as a valuable resource for guiding government policy regarding artisanal mining.

Critically, the current draft of Zimbabwe’s Mines and Minerals Bill does not adequately provide a clear pathway for the formalization of artisanal miners, despite its updates to the Mines and Minerals Act established in 1961. While the Bill acknowledges small-scale mining, it overlooks the needs of artisanal miners who operate on smaller scales and often use different methods.

To bridge this gap, the planetGOLD Zimbabwe project proposes establishing a distinct legal category for artisanal mining. This would clarify miners' rights and responsibilities, ultimately facilitating access to finance, technology alternatives free from mercury, and compliance with international agreements.

A Roadmap to Sustainable Mining

The launched guide paves a structured path for transforming artisanal and small-scale gold mining from an informal economy into a legally regulated, productive, and environmentally responsible sector. This roadmap encompasses various interconnected steps, including:

• Data-driven legal reforms
• Capacity building and technical training
• Access to financing
• Market integration
• Regulatory coherence and enforcement of mining regulations

Ultimately, the aim is to create a framework that offers tangible benefits for artisanal miners while enhancing the overall economic health of mining communities across Zimbabwe.