The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has ordered the immediate suspension of all mining and allied activities at Botha Mine in Bindura, citing serious safety violations, violence and regulatory breaches.

In a suspension order dated 8 April 2026, Provincial Mining Engineer for Mashonaland Central Province E.T. Gota directed that operations at Botha Mine, as well as affected boundary areas of Freda Rebecca Gold Mine Lease 21 (Phoenix Prince), cease immediately.

The ministry said the action was taken in terms of Section 267, read together with Section 300 and Section 301 of the Mining (Management and Safety) Regulations, 1990, after inspectors identified conditions posing “immediate and unacceptable risks to life, health, and safety.”

“With immediate effect, all mining and associated activities at Botha Mine… are hereby suspended… due to conditions posing immediate and unacceptable risks to life, health, and safety,” reads part of the order.

Authorities cited escalating violence and unlawful activities at the site as key reasons for intervention.

The order noted an “unsafe and violent operating environment,” highlighting incidents including shootings, assaults and intimidation which created hazardous working conditions and threatened both mine workers and members of the public.

Inspectors further recorded a loss of control and unauthorised access to mining areas, stating that the presence of illegal miners resulted in uncontrolled operations and exposure to unsafe practices.

The ministry also raised concern over a “breakdown of safety management systems,” pointing to failures in supervision, enforcement of safety procedures and compliance with statutory occupational safety standards.

Officials added that there was non-compliance with occupational health and safety requirements, including lack of personal protective equipment enforcement and inadequate safety controls across operations.

The Mines Inspectorate reported that regulatory oversight had been obstructed at the site.

According to the directive, conditions on the ground were “preventing safe access for inspection and verification by the Mines Inspectorate.”

Authorities also flagged deficiencies in accident management systems, citing “failure in accident and risk reporting” which undermined hazard identification and mitigation efforts.

Under the order, all mining activities must cease immediately and operational grounds must be cleared.

“All mining and allied activities shall cease immediately upon receipt of this suspension order,” the ministry said, adding that no personnel, equipment or processing activities should remain active on site.

Mine management was instructed to submit a full personnel security register to the Provincial Mining Office and ensure the register is maintained at all entry points for inspection.

Government said operations would only resume once strict compliance measures are verified by inspectors.

Among the conditions outlined are restoration of a safe working environment, elimination of violence, removal of illegal weapons and substances, and effective supervision by competent personnel.

The ministry also ordered full enforcement of occupational safety systems, proper accident reporting mechanisms and compliance with health provisions under the Pneumoconiosis Act and Mining (Health and Sanitation) Regulations.

“Operations shall only resume upon verified compliance,” the order states, adding that no mining activities may restart without written authorisation from the Mines Inspectorate.

The directive warned that the suspension will remain in force until all health and safety deficiencies have been rectified and compliance has been confirmed to the satisfaction of inspectors.

“In view of the seriousness of the situation and the risks posed to life, property, and regulatory integrity, you are directed to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves,” the ministry said.

Copies of the order were also forwarded to the Chief Government Mining Engineer, provincial authorities and the Zimbabwe Republic Police for enforcement monitoring.