Zimbabwe has launched the planetGOLD Zimbabwe Project, an ambitious initiative aimed at significantly reducing mercury use in the country’s artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector. Currently in its mapping and assessment phase, the project seeks to improve environmental protection, public health, and mining sustainability while supporting thousands of miners across the country.
The program is part of a broader global effort operating in 23 countries, addressing one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. According to project implementer IMPACT, artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) remains the largest source of mercury pollution worldwide.
The initiative is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and implemented by IMPACT in partnership with Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
Supporting 7,500 Miners Across 11 Districts
The five-year project aims to directly support approximately 7,500 men and women working in Zimbabwe’s artisanal gold mining sector across 11 districts.
A key objective is to reduce mercury consumption by 4.85 tonnes, helping miners transition toward safer and more sustainable gold processing methods. The project combines formalization, financial inclusion, technological innovation, and knowledge-sharing to create lasting improvements throughout the sector. By strengthening access to traceable gold supply chains and financing opportunities, the initiative seeks to accelerate the adoption of mercury-free gold processing technologies while integrating miners into the formal economy.
Artisanal Gold Mining Plays a Critical Economic Role
Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is a cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s economy and an essential source of income for many rural communities where alternative employment opportunities remain limited. More than 300,000 people are estimated to work directly in the sector, making it one of the country’s largest sources of employment.
The industry contributes more than 40% of Zimbabwe’s mineral exports and accounts for over 60% of gold deliveries to the country’s sole official gold buyer, refiner, and exporter, the Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR). Despite its economic importance, the sector continues to face significant challenges related to informal operations, regulatory compliance, environmental impacts, and illicit gold trading.
Mercury Remains a Major Environmental and Health Threat
One of the project’s primary concerns is the widespread use of mercury in gold processing. According to project data, approximately 96% of Zimbabwe’s artisanal gold production relies on mercury-based extraction methods, resulting in more than 24 tonnes of mercury emissions annually. Mercury contamination affects soil, water, air, and mining equipment, creating serious environmental consequences that extend far beyond mining sites.
Health experts warn that mercury exposure can cause severe neurological and developmental problems, particularly among children and pregnant women. Miners and processing workers face elevated risks when mercury is vaporized during gold extraction activities. Environmental impacts are equally significant. Mercury released into the atmosphere can travel long distances before contaminating rivers, lakes, fish populations, wildlife habitats, and agricultural land.
Women Face Greater Exposure Risks
The project highlights the disproportionate impact of mercury exposure on women working within the artisanal mining sector.
Women are heavily involved in gold washing and processing activities, stages where mercury exposure levels are often highest. As a result, they face increased health risks compared to many other workers within the mining value chain.
Reducing mercury use is therefore expected to deliver important health benefits for both miners and surrounding communities.
Four-Pillar Strategy for Sustainable Mining
According to planetGOLD Zimbabwe Project Manager Nyaradzo Mutonhori, the initiative will pursue a comprehensive strategy built around four key pillars designed to create a safer and more sustainable artisanal mining sector.
The first pillar focuses on helping artisanal and small-scale miners formalize their operations and become integrated into Zimbabwe’s formal economy. The project will encourage collaboration between large-scale mining companies and small-scale miners through pilot programs designed to demonstrate successful formalization models and improve regulatory compliance.
Improving Access to Finance
Limited access to capital remains one of the biggest obstacles preventing miners from investing in modern equipment and safer technologies.
To address this challenge, the project will work closely with banks, microfinance institutions, and financial service providers to expand funding opportunities for artisanal miners.
By improving access to financing, project leaders believe miners will be better positioned to invest in mercury-free processing technologies and more efficient mining practices.
Introducing Mercury-Free Technologies
Technology deployment represents another core component of the initiative.
The project plans to establish 11 demonstration sites across participating districts to showcase mercury-free gold processing methods and train miners in their use.
In addition, eight mercury-free processing centers will be developed to provide practical access to safer technologies and support widespread adoption throughout mining communities.
These facilities are expected to play a critical role in accelerating the transition away from mercury-dependent gold recovery methods.
Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building
The fourth pillar focuses on education, communication, and knowledge transfer.
The project will develop training materials, technical guidance documents, and best-practice resources covering artisanal mining formalization, mercury-free technologies, environmental management, and financial inclusion.
Lessons learned during implementation will be shared with stakeholders across Zimbabwe and internationally to support broader improvements in the artisanal mining sector.
Training and Awareness Campaigns to Drive Change
An important component of the initiative involves extensive awareness campaigns targeting miners and mining communities.
Participants will receive training on the dangers associated with mercury use while learning practical alternatives that can improve both environmental outcomes and gold recovery efficiency.
National artisanal mining specialists will also receive advanced training to support the implementation and scaling of mercury-free technologies and responsible mining practices across Zimbabwe.
Focus on Major Mercury Hotspots
Project teams have already begun field visits to several key mining areas identified as mercury-use hotspots.
Among the sites visited is Waterwitch Mine in Bubi District, located in Matabeleland North Province. The site serves as a major processing center where as many as 1,000 artisanal miners from surrounding communities supply ore and process gold using mercury.
Additional visits have been conducted at Gzone Milling and Mining in Chegutu District and Trafalgar X4 Mine in the Battlefields area near Kadoma, both of which have been identified as locations where mercury use remains widespread.
These assessments will help guide future interventions and determine where mercury-free technologies can have the greatest impact.
Zimbabwe Strengthens Commitment to Global Mercury Reduction Goals
Zimbabwe signed the Minamata Convention on Mercury in 2013 and officially became a party to the international agreement in August 2021.
The convention seeks to reduce and ultimately eliminate mercury use across industries, including gold mining.
The country’s National Action Plan, released in 2019, outlines commitments to improve mining practices, reduce mercury emissions, strengthen cooperation among stakeholders, and enhance community health and safety.
The planetGOLD Zimbabwe Project represents one of the most significant steps yet toward achieving those objectives.
Building a Cleaner Future for Zimbabwe’s Gold Industry
As demand for responsibly sourced gold continues to grow globally, Zimbabwe’s efforts to modernize its artisanal mining sector could provide substantial economic, environmental, and social benefits.
By reducing mercury emissions, expanding access to finance, promoting formalization, and introducing innovative processing technologies, the project aims to create a safer and more sustainable future for one of the country’s most important industries.
If successful, the initiative could become a model for responsible artisanal gold mining not only in Zimbabwe but across Africa and the wider global mining sector.
