Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Artisanal Miners Association (ZAMA) has petitioned Mines Minister, Polite Kambamura begging for the removal of tight formalization deadlines which pose the risk of sidelining many players in remote areas.
The Mines Ministry has since set August 30, 2026, as the final deadline for all mining title holders and operators to regularize outstanding obligations and formalize their operations or risk losing their rights. The formalizing of mining activities is aimed at curbing illicit mineral trade, increase national tax revenues, and empower local indigenous citizens within the extractive sector.
But in a letter to the relevant minister, the ZAMA national coordinator, Elias Masuku said while formalization of the sector remains a critical step in the country’s economic development, sticking to the set deadline risks sidelining other small scale miners in the sector.
“The reality on the ground is that our Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) communities and local Zimbabwean claim holders are still in the process of internalizing and implementing these new requirements.
“The majority of miners are in remote areas with limited access to capital, technical support, PPE, and registration facilities. To meet the 31 August 2026 deadline, as published in the previous Statutory Instrument by the Ministry, risks excluding the very people this framework seeks to uplift,” he said.
Masuku warned the government against a rushed compliance process will saying it risks pushing thousands of miners back into informality and increase smuggling, undermining the gains made in training and sensitization by several stakeholders and escalating conflicts between communities, Chiefs, and regulatory authorities.
“In the spirit of “leaving no one behind” and ensuring the success of the new framework, ZAMA respectfully pleads for a reasonable extension of the 31 August 2026 deadline. We propose a phased compliance timeframe of six (6) months, up to 28 February 2027,” he said.
ZAMA said added that such a convenient deadline will allow for the completion of nationwide registration and training drives in all ten (10) provinces, disbursement of support for PPE, safety equipment, and capitalization and the full operationalization of the Community Based Mining Approach through CDTs and Chiefs.
Added Masuku, “This extension will ensure that when compliance is enforced, it is inclusive, orderly, and sustainable.”
