Chinese miners caught 'bulking' gold with tungsten in Zimbabwe

Government-owned Fidelity Gold Refineries (FGR) has reportedly been forced to invest in specialised testing equipment following shocking revelations that some Chinese miners are allegedly adulterating gold deliveries with tungsten to inflate weight and apparent purity.

Sources familiar with developments at the refinery say FGR has acquired advanced X-ray fluorescence (XRF) machines - each costing at least US$10,000 - to strengthen its capacity to detect fraudulent mineral compositions.

XRF machines are widely used analytical instruments capable of identifying and quantifying the elemental composition of minerals, making them critical in detecting tampered gold.

The move comes after reports that certain miners have been drilling into gold consignments and inserting tungsten, a metal with a density closely resembling that of gold, making it difficult to detect through basic testing methods.

"Some identified Chinese miners are buying tungsten or tungsten deposits specifically to mix it into their gold and increase its weight," a source revealed. "This is outright criminal and directly prejudices government revenues. That is why the refinery has had to invest in XRF technology to curb the practice."

In some instances, the alleged adulteration was extreme, with deliveries reportedly containing as little as 30% actual gold.

The scandal has reignited concerns over illegal mining activities involving some foreign nationals, particularly in sensitive and protected areas. Reports have persistently pointed to incursions into communal lands in Mashonaland East, the Mavhuradonha Wilderness Area, and sacred forests such as Haroni Forest.

Despite growing public outcry, critics argue that enforcement action against such activities has been limited.

President of the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF), Henrietta Rushwaya, has called on authorities to take decisive action against those responsible.

"It is high time state security agents arrest unscrupulous individuals and errant companies that misrepresent their intentions and proceed to conduct criminal activities here," Rushwaya said.

"They should be named and prosecuted, as these minerals are meant to benefit the people of Zimbabwe. If these activities are not checked, our resources will continue to benefit others at the expense of the nation."

The revelations have raised fresh questions about regulatory oversight in Zimbabwe's gold sector and the broader impact of illicit practices on the country's economy.