The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF), the leading representative body for the country’s artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector, is gearing up to host a high-level workshop to dissect the proposed 2025 Mines and Minerals Bill. This landmark legislation, currently under review, is poised to reshape Zimbabwe’s mining landscape, and the ZMF is determined to ensure that the voices of artisanal and small-scale miners—key contributors to the nation’s mining output—are heard loud and clear. The workshop, scheduled in the coming weeks, will provide a platform for stakeholders to analyze the Bill’s provisions, address potential gaps, and advocate for reforms that promote inclusivity, transparency, and sustainability in the ASM sector.
The Importance of ASM in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s ASM sector is a critical pillar of the economy, particularly in gold and other mineral production. According to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, small-scale miners account for over 60% of the country’s gold output, a vital source of foreign currency in a nation striving to achieve a US$12 billion mining economy by 2030. Despite their contributions, ASM operators often face challenges such as limited access to formal financing, bureaucratic licensing processes, and environmental compliance burdens.
The 2025 Mines and Minerals Bill, which seeks to modernize and streamline Zimbabwe’s mining regulations, presents both opportunities and risks for this vibrant yet vulnerable sector.
Workshop Objectives and Key Focus Areas
ZMF President Henrietta Rushwaya, a prominent advocate for small-scale miners, announced that the workshop will feature a legal and technical team tasked with conducting a clause-by-clause analysis of the Bill. This rigorous approach aims to unpack its implications for ASM operators, who often lack the resources to navigate complex legal frameworks. The workshop will zero in on several critical provisions, including:
- Simplification of Mining Titles: The Bill proposes reforms to streamline the process of obtaining mining titles, a long-standing hurdle for ASM operators. Bureaucratic delays and high costs have historically excluded many small-scale miners from formalizing their operations. The ZMF seeks to ensure that the new framework reduces red tape while maintaining clear eligibility criteria for artisanal miners.
- Digital Mining Cadastre Register: The introduction of a digital Mining Cadastre Register is a flagship reform aimed at enhancing transparency in the allocation of mining claims. By digitizing records, the government hopes to curb disputes over land ownership and reduce corruption. However, the ZMF will scrutinize the accessibility of this system for rural miners, many of whom lack reliable internet access or technical expertise.
- Composition of the Mining Affairs Board: The Bill outlines changes to the Mining Affairs Board, the body responsible for overseeing mining licenses and resolving disputes. The ZMF is advocating for greater representation of ASM stakeholders on the board to ensure that their interests are adequately considered in policy decisions.
- Environmental Obligations and the Mining Industry Environmental Protection Fund (MIEPF): The introduction of the MIEPF signals a push for stronger environmental accountability in the mining sector. While the ZMF supports sustainable practices, Rushwaya emphasized the need for affordable environmental certification processes tailored to the financial realities of small-scale miners. The workshop will explore how the MIEPF can balance environmental protection with the economic viability of ASM operations.
Concerns Over Clause 6 and Foreign InvestmentOne of the most contentious issues in the Bill is Clause 6, which grants the Minister of Mines and Mining Development discretionary powers over access to strategic minerals, such as lithium and rare earth elements critical to global energy transitions. Rushwaya expressed concern that this clause could allow foreign investors to gain preferential access to these resources, potentially sidelining local ASM operators.
She highlighted a contradiction in the Bill’s land allocation provisions, noting that foreigners could, in some cases, access small-scale claims traditionally reserved for Zimbabwean citizens. This issue is particularly sensitive given the government’s “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mantra, which has attracted foreign investment but sparked debates over local empowerment.
Advocating for Inclusivity and Clarity
The ZMF workshop will also address several structural and social issues critical to the ASM sector. Key among these is the absence of a clearly defined tier system for artisanal and small-scale miners, which could help formalize operations and provide tailored support based on scale. Rushwaya stressed the need for affordable licensing costs, as high fees often deter miners from formalizing, pushing them into illegal operations that harm both the environment and the economy.
Inclusivity is another priority. The ZMF is advocating for provisions that explicitly support women, youth, and people with disabilities in the mining sector. Women, in particular, make up a significant portion of ASM workers but face barriers such as limited access to capital and discriminatory land allocation practices. The workshop will explore how the Bill can integrate gender-responsive and disability-inclusive policies to level the playing field.
Broader Implications and Next Steps
This Bill is a step forward, but it must be inclusive and reduce red tape,” Rushwaya stated, underscoring the ZMF’s commitment to constructive engagement with policymakers. The workshop’s findings will be consolidated into a comprehensive position paper that the ZMF plans to present during the Bill’s parliamentary consultations, expected later in 2025. By amplifying the ASM sector’s concerns, the ZMF aims to influence amendments that align the legislation with the needs of small-scale miners while supporting Zimbabwe’s broader economic goals.
The 2025 Mines and Minerals Bill represents a pivotal moment for Zimbabwe’s mining industry, which contributes significantly to GDP and employment. For the ASM sector, the stakes are high: a well-crafted Bill could unlock opportunities for growth and formalization, while poorly implemented reforms risk marginalizing an already underserved group. The ZMF’s workshop is a critical step toward ensuring that the legislation reflects the realities of artisanal and small-scale miners, fostering a more equitable and sustainable mining future for Zimbabwe.
