Zimbabwe’s gold mining sector is on course to meet its 40-tonne target for the year, following a significant increase in deliveries to Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR) in January.
Data from FGR shows that gold deliveries surged by over 30% compared to the same period last year, rising from 1.8 tonnes in January 2024 to more than three tonnes in January 2025. The artisanal and small-scale mining sector continues to play a crucial role, contributing over 70% of the total deliveries, while large-scale miners accounted for 30%.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando welcomed the positive start to the year, noting that the sector had defied seasonal challenges.
“This is quite impressive considering that during the rainy season, production volumes often decline. The current trend raises hopes that the gold mining sector is on course to achieve its goals. As the Government, we remain committed to ensuring that miners operate under favorable conditions for the benefit of the nation,” he said.
Zimbabwe Miners Federation chief executive officer, Wellington Takavarasha, highlighted the resilience of small-scale miners in sustaining production growth.
“This sector continues to defy production constraints, contributing more to the overall growth of the mining industry. The statistics show that small-scale mining remains dominant and is making strategic investments to further scale up production,” he said.
Despite operational challenges, Zimbabwe’s gold sector remains a key driver of foreign currency inflows, reinforcing its role as a pillar of the national economy.
