Mutapa Gold Resources has partnered with the Zimbabwe School of Mines to roll out a nationwide training and formalisation programme targeting more than 1,500 artisanal and small-scale miners, marking one of the largest structured interventions in the country’s fast-growing but largely unregulated mining sector.

The initiative, launched in Harare this week, seeks to address persistent challenges of unsafe mining practices, low productivity, and environmental degradation while boosting Zimbabwe’s gold output.

Artisanal miners currently account for a major share of the nation’s gold deliveries, yet most operate without formal training or legal recognition.

In his remarks at the launch event, Mutapa Gold’s General Manager responsible for Contract Mining, Tirivashe Vere, stressed that the programme is designed to go beyond basic instruction.

He explained that the curriculum would be delivered through a blend of theory and hands-on experience to ensure miners can immediately apply what they learn.

“The programme will combine classroom learning with practical field training while also adopting a ‘train-the-trainer’ approach to expand national reach,” Vere said.

He further outlined the company’s long-term vision for the sector, noting that the goal is not merely to certify miners but to transform how they operate.

“The long-term goal is to help artisanal miners transition into professionally run and sustainable mining operations capable of adapting to different mining environments and technologies,” Vere added.

Beyond training, Mutapa Gold disclosed that it is developing a dedicated artisanal mining cost model.

The company has engaged a team of accountants, mining engineers, and metallurgists to design a financial framework that small-scale miners can use to improve operational efficiency and profitability.

The move is expected to help miners better manage expenses, reinvest earnings, and access formal credit lines.

In a significant boost to the initiative, a partner identified as Magaya has opened its processing plant for optimisation studies.

The plant will serve as a live learning hub where miners can conduct practical exercises aimed at improving gold recovery rates, which often hover below 50 percent in artisanal operations due to rudimentary methods.

The latest drive comes as Zimbabwe intensifies broader efforts to formalise artisanal mining, improve safety standards, and increase official gold deliveries through structured support programmes.

According to central bank data, gold remains the country’s single largest mineral export earner, with artisanal miners contributing over 60 percent of total deliveries in recent years.

However, the sector has also been plagued by mine collapses, mercury poisoning, and revenue leakages through smuggling.

By linking training, formalisation, and a practical cost model, Mutapa Gold and the Zimbabwe School of Mines aim to gradually replace makeshift operations with sustainable, law-abiding enterprises.

The first training cohort is expected to commence within the next month, with participants drawn from all ten provinces.

Upon completion, miners will receive certification from the Zimbabwe School of Mines, which may assist them in securing mining claims, environmental permits, and access to equipment financing.