Artisanal miners have welcomed the Government’s decision to reserve the small-scale mining sector exclusively for Zimbabweans, describing it as a major win for the indigenous people.
The decision follows the promulgation of Statutory Instrument 215 of 2025, published in the Government Gazette Extraordinary on 11 December 2025, which prohibits foreign nationals from owning, operating, financing, or controlling artisanal mining activities in the country.
Commenting on the development, the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) praised Government, noting concerns that foreigners had been financing small-scale gold artisans, heightening the risk of illicit gold outflows from the country.
ZMF highlighted that, “The inclusion of artisanal mining among sectors reserved for locals sends a clear message to investors that foreign capital should be directed towards large-scale, value-adding, and industrial mining ventures rather than small-scale or informal operations.”
According to the ZMF, artisanal mining sector employs thousands of citizens across gold, chrome, and other mineral-rich areas, making it a key source of income for many communities.
This year, artisanal and small-scale mining sector contributed 30.99 tonnes of the precious yellow metal, accounting for approximately 74 percent of the country’s total national bullion output.
SI 215 of 2025 takes immediate effect, and enforcement agencies have been empowered to act against any violations without further notice.
Authorities have also tightened rules on beneficial ownership, giving regulators the power to investigate and expose foreign nationals operating artisanal mining ventures through local proxies.
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development said the Government’s decision is intended to protect local livelihoods, curb illicit mineral flows, and ensure that the economic benefits of small-scale mining accrue directly to Zimbabweans.
Artisanal miners have described the move as a “long-awaited decision” that safeguards their rights, encourages responsible mining, and strengthens Zimbabweans’ control over a vital part of the country’s mineral economy.
Under the new regulations, any business or individual suspected of concealed foreign ownership may be required to submit sworn declarations detailing the true beneficial owners. Providing false information or failing to disclose ownership is a criminal offence, punishable by heavy fines or imprisonment of three to five years.
While some reserved sectors allow limited foreign participation under certain thresholds, artisanal mining is entirely closed to foreign nationals, with no exemptions or permits available. Any foreign national found operating, funding, or assisting artisanal mining activities will be deemed to be acting unlawfully and may face prosecution, licence suspension, and a prohibition from conducting business with Government entities for up to five years.
