The planetGOLD Zimbabwe project kicks off its Annual Stakeholders Conference today, October 27-28, 2025, in Harare, marking the first-year milestone of its five-year initiative launched in 2024. This global program, supported by the Global Environment Facility and executed by IMPACT in close coordination with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, aims to reduce mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) across 25 communities, including Filabusi, Gwanda, Zvishavane, Esigodini, Bubi, Kadoma, Chegutu, Bindura, Mazowe, and Shamva.
ASGM, the world’s largest source of anthropogenic mercury emissions, sees 96% of Zimbabwe’s gold mine sites using the toxic chemical, releasing over 24 tons annually. The project seeks to transform this sector by promoting mercury-free technologies, improving health and livelihoods, and enhancing access to finance, gender equality, and formalization for miners.
A significant development is the gazetting of the Mines and Minerals Bill 2025 on June 25, 2025, which modernizes the country’s mining legislation dating back to 1961. The bill aims to address structural barriers to licensing and compliance for the ASGM sector, which employs over 300,000 people and contributes more than 40% to Zimbabwe’s mineral exports.
However, the planetGOLD brief highlights the need for key reforms, including recognizing artisanal miners, phased formalization, simplified compliance regimes, inclusion of marginalized groups like women and persons with disabilities, and stronger mercury reduction measures aligned with the Minamata Convention.
“The ASGM sector is a critical livelihood source for some of Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable people,” said a project representative. “With proper support, it has significant potential to contribute to social and economic development while reducing environmental harm.
The conference brings together stakeholders to discuss these reforms and the bill’s potential to create a progressive and inclusive framework for ASGM.
