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Zimbabwe speeds up mercury phase-out
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Zimbabwe is making faster progress than most African countries in phasing out mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), a senior government official has said.
The country became a signatory to the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2013 - a global treaty that seeks to reduce and eventually eliminate mercury use - and formally acceded to it on August 19, 2021. Despite about 96 percent of artisanal gold production still being linked to mercury, authorities say ongoing reforms and technical interventions are rapidly reducing dependency on the toxic metal.
Mercury pollution contaminates soil, water, and air, posing serious health risks to miners and surrounding communities. Zimbabwe's National Action Plan, launched in 2019, outlines strategies to mitigate these dangers through collaboration among government agencies, mining associations, and development partners to promote safe and responsible gold production.
Speaking at the planetGOLD Zimbabwe Annual Stakeholders Conference in Harare yesterday, Chief Engineer in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Michael Munodawafa, said Zimbabwe was well on course to meet its mercury reduction targets.
"We are also trying to eliminate the use of mercury. But I think we are moving very, very fast as a country—faster than most of the other countries. Regarding the reduction in the use of mercury, our target is 4.8 tonnes, and I think we can surpass that," said Munodawafa.
He added that the government remained committed to formalising artisanal miners while promoting sustainable mining practices. "The Ministry recognises the pivotal role played by artisanal and small-scale miners in creating employment. Most are still informal, but through the help of planetGOLD, we aim to move them towards responsible, inclusive, and sustainable mining," he said.
planetGOLD Zimbabwe project manager Nyaradzo Mutonhori said the initiative focuses on reducing mercury use through formalisation, financial inclusion, and technology transfer.
"Our approach is holistic and multi-sectoral. We are helping artisanal miners adopt responsible mining practices, ensure legal compliance, and build a mercury-free gold supply chain. Improved access to finance and uptake of mercury-free technologies are essential to achieving our targets," Mutonhori explained.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Edward Samuriwo, Director of Environment, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Ambassador Tedious Chifamba, called for practical measures to support small-scale miners.
"Despite advances, many miners still operate outside the legal framework. Simplifying licensing and improving access to technical assistance must remain top priorities. The financial ecosystem must evolve to accommodate women and youth in mining. Demonstration and validation of mercury-free technologies must now move from plans to pilot implementation," said Chifamba.
The conference took place as small-scale miners continue to outperform large mining companies in gold deliveries. According to official data, Zimbabwe's total gold deliveries rose by 37 percent to 32.98 tonnes in the first nine months of this year, up from 24.2 tonnes during the same period in 2024—putting the country on track to achieve its 40-tonne target.
However, concerns persist over inequitable practices in the gold industry. A recent Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development report alleged that some large mining houses were manipulating payment structures meant to benefit small-scale producers.
Between 2020 and 2024, small-scale miners have consistently led national gold output, contributing two-thirds of Zimbabwe's total 36.4 tonnes in 2024—delivering 23.7 tonnes compared to 12.7 tonnes from large-scale operations.
Authorities say formalising artisanal mining and eliminating mercury use remain top priorities to safeguard livelihoods, protect the environment, and ensure Zimbabwe's gold sector grows sustainably.
The country became a signatory to the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2013 - a global treaty that seeks to reduce and eventually eliminate mercury use - and formally acceded to it on August 19, 2021. Despite about 96 percent of artisanal gold production still being linked to mercury, authorities say ongoing reforms and technical interventions are rapidly reducing dependency on the toxic metal.
Mercury pollution contaminates soil, water, and air, posing serious health risks to miners and surrounding communities. Zimbabwe's National Action Plan, launched in 2019, outlines strategies to mitigate these dangers through collaboration among government agencies, mining associations, and development partners to promote safe and responsible gold production.
Speaking at the planetGOLD Zimbabwe Annual Stakeholders Conference in Harare yesterday, Chief Engineer in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Michael Munodawafa, said Zimbabwe was well on course to meet its mercury reduction targets.
"We are also trying to eliminate the use of mercury. But I think we are moving very, very fast as a country—faster than most of the other countries. Regarding the reduction in the use of mercury, our target is 4.8 tonnes, and I think we can surpass that," said Munodawafa.
He added that the government remained committed to formalising artisanal miners while promoting sustainable mining practices. "The Ministry recognises the pivotal role played by artisanal and small-scale miners in creating employment. Most are still informal, but through the help of planetGOLD, we aim to move them towards responsible, inclusive, and sustainable mining," he said.
planetGOLD Zimbabwe project manager Nyaradzo Mutonhori said the initiative focuses on reducing mercury use through formalisation, financial inclusion, and technology transfer.
"Our approach is holistic and multi-sectoral. We are helping artisanal miners adopt responsible mining practices, ensure legal compliance, and build a mercury-free gold supply chain. Improved access to finance and uptake of mercury-free technologies are essential to achieving our targets," Mutonhori explained.
In a speech delivered on his behalf by Edward Samuriwo, Director of Environment, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Ambassador Tedious Chifamba, called for practical measures to support small-scale miners.
"Despite advances, many miners still operate outside the legal framework. Simplifying licensing and improving access to technical assistance must remain top priorities. The financial ecosystem must evolve to accommodate women and youth in mining. Demonstration and validation of mercury-free technologies must now move from plans to pilot implementation," said Chifamba.
The conference took place as small-scale miners continue to outperform large mining companies in gold deliveries. According to official data, Zimbabwe's total gold deliveries rose by 37 percent to 32.98 tonnes in the first nine months of this year, up from 24.2 tonnes during the same period in 2024—putting the country on track to achieve its 40-tonne target.
However, concerns persist over inequitable practices in the gold industry. A recent Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Mining Development report alleged that some large mining houses were manipulating payment structures meant to benefit small-scale producers.
Between 2020 and 2024, small-scale miners have consistently led national gold output, contributing two-thirds of Zimbabwe's total 36.4 tonnes in 2024—delivering 23.7 tonnes compared to 12.7 tonnes from large-scale operations.
Authorities say formalising artisanal mining and eliminating mercury use remain top priorities to safeguard livelihoods, protect the environment, and ensure Zimbabwe's gold sector grows sustainably.
Source - The Herald
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