By Jerome Ndlovu
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) is cracking down on a new wave of illegal chrome mining. These illicit operations, taking place under the cover of darkness, are harming legitimate small-scale miners. The ZMF has vowed to publicly identify and expose those involved to protect the interests of legal operators.
Speaking at the Chamber of Mines Annual Mining Conference and Exhibition last week, ZMF president Ms. Henrietta Rushwaya (pictured) starkly described these covert operations as a dangerous “new cancer” infecting the mining sector. She highlighted that these illegal activities often employ heavy machinery under the cover of darkness, urging the Government to intervene against these well-resourced groups.
“These aren’t just illegal miners; they are criminal entrepreneurs exploiting the system, undermining our livelihoods, and destabilizing our mining communities,” she stated. “They operate with impunity, bringing in trucks and excavators after sundown. By dawn, major damage has already been done.”
Ms. Rushwaya highlighted that the chrome sector has been particularly hard hit. The problem is worsened by ownership and production disputes, weak enforcement, and corruption. These issues allow illegal syndicates to blend in and unfairly stigmatize all small-scale miners.
She also mentioned that the federation is lobbying the government to grant them a more prominent role in identifying and publicly exposing these perpetrators.
“ZMF believes that public shaming will act as a powerful deterrent and compel law enforcement and regulatory bodies to take decisive action.
“We are making a clarion call to the Minister to allow us to name and shame those new illegal miners who have overtaken us, stolen our identity, and caused a lot of damage,” she added.
Ms. Rushwaya emphasized that the “name and shame” initiative isn’t a witch-hunt. Instead, she described it as a crucial protective measure for honest miners who are losing their livelihoods and faith in the regulatory system.
There is need for greater collaboration between the Ministry of Mines, EMA, ZRP, and ZIMRA to ensure only compliant operators are allowed to work.
“Protecting legitimate miners is crucial for the formalisation, transparency, and value addition goals of Zimbabwe’s mining sector”
