ZMF Vows to Expose Nocturnal Chrome Raiders

ZMF president Henrietta Rushwaya

ZimNow Reporter

The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) has announced its intention to publicly identify illegal chrome miners operating under the cover of night, aiming to protect the rights of legitimate small-scale miners.

During a recent plenary discussion at the Chamber of Mines Annual General Meeting, ZMF president Henrietta Rushwaya described the surge in unauthorized night-time chrome mining, often involving heavy machinery, as a "new cancer" plaguing the sector. Her address, delivered at the "Business of Gold" symposium sponsored by Kuvimba Mining House, underscored the urgent need for action.

Rushwaya highlighted a distinct shift in illegal mining activities. While daylight sees the familiar small-scale miner, she noted, "at night, there are big trucks and excavators seen working illegally." She accused these operators, often backed by Chinese capital and local fronts, of stealing from registered miners and damaging the reputation of small-scale mining. She also pointed out that mines with a projected lifespan of 10 years are being depleted in half that time due to aggressive nocturnal extraction.

"These are not just illegal miners; they are criminal entrepreneurs exploiting the system, undermining our livelihoods, and destabilizing our mining communities," Rushwaya stated, emphasising their impunity in operating under the cover of darkness.

ZMF president Henrietta Rushwaya

Rushwaya observed that many of these illicit operations have proliferated within the chrome sector, where existing disputes over ownership, pegging, and production are worsened by weak enforcement and corruption. She expressed concern that these groups are blending into the small-scale mining community, giving the entire sector a bad name.

"It is unfortunate that we as small-scale miners continue to carry the label of ‘illegal miners’ while these sophisticated syndicates run operations on our claims at night," she lamented, differentiating them from artisanal miners using basic tools.

In response to this escalating threat, the ZMF is advocating for increased involvement in publicly identifying and exposing these perpetrators. The federation believes that public exposure could deter illegal activities and pressure law enforcement and regulatory agencies to act.

"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," Rushwaya declared.

This initiative comes amid growing frustration among registered miners who find their operations encroached upon and depleted by illegal miners, some of whom are reportedly colluding with local officials and claim holders. There have been several instances where foreign-linked operations, particularly Chinese syndicates, have been accused of circumventing local procedures and bribing their way into disputed claims.

Rushwaya stressed that the ZMF's "name and shame" strategy is a protective measure for honest miners, not a witch-hunt. "We cannot continue to tolerate these night-time operations while legitimate miners are left fighting over scraps," she asserted, vowing that the ZMF would speak up if others would not.

The ZMF president also urged for greater cooperation among the Ministry of Mines, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), the Zimbabwe Republic Police, and the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority to ensure compliance with regulations. "If we are serious about formalisation, transparency, and value addition, we must protect our own," she urged.

Delegates, especially from the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector, widely approved Rushwaya's remarks. They have long expressed concerns about illicit activities eroding their income and threatening their legal standing.

Rushwaya's call for accountability resonated with the audience.

Thomas Gono, the outgoing president of the Chamber of Mines, had earlier acknowledged the crucial role of small-scale miners and their challenges, including access to electricity, high operating costs, and lack of modern equipment.