By Fanuel Chinowaita
MUTARE, 11 July 2026 – Young artisanal and small-scale miners have been urged to transform their operations from informal mineral extraction into sustainable and profitable businesses through formalization, financial discipline, technology adoption and responsible mining practices.
The call was made during the Young Miners Foundation (YMF) Workshop on “Mining as a Business”, held on Friday, 10 July 2026, at the Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS) in Mutare. The workshop brought together young miners, Government officials, academia, financial institutions, environmental agencies and private sector stakeholders to equip participants with entrepreneurial, technical and financial skills aimed at professionalizing the artisanal and small-scale mining sector.
The workshop program featured presentations on value addition for Manicaland minerals, the use of technology in mining, safe and efficient mining practices, financial literacy in the mining sector and health in mining, with each session followed by interactive question-and-answer discussions.
Participants also received presentations from representatives of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and National Social Security Authority (NSSA)who shared information on mining regulations, occupational safety and health, environmental protection, financing opportunities and sustainable mining practices.
Officially welcoming delegates, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Applied Sciences and Technology, Dr B. C. Nyamunda, said artisanal and small-scale mining should no longer be viewed merely as an informal livelihood but as a legitimate business capable of driving economic growth.
“For too long, artisanal and small-scale mining has been viewed through a narrow lens—often categorized merely as a survival activity or informal labour. What I see before me today are entrepreneurs, economic drivers and the backbone of our local communities,” said Dr Nyamunda.
He said the workshop had been designed to bridge the gap between traditional mining practices and modern business management by exposing miners to financial literacy, occupational safety, environmental stewardship, legal and regulatory frameworks and sustainable mining technologies.
“As a Faculty, our mission is not confined to the walls of our lecture rooms. True education must impact the community. We are committed to standing by you, offering our technical expertise, research and training to ensure that your operations thrive, formalise and scale safely,” he said.
Dr Nyamunda encouraged participants to actively engage facilitators and apply the knowledge acquired to transform artisanal mining into a formal, profitable and respected business sector.
Young Miners Manicaland Provincial Chairman Ngonidzashe Maobvera said the workshop sought to change perceptions around artisanal mining by encouraging miners to think and operate as entrepreneurs.
“Today we are not here just as diggers. We are here as business people,” he said.
Maobvera said many young miners continued to lose income because of poor record keeping, failure to formalize mining claims, unsafe mining practices and the sale of raw minerals without value addition.
“As Young Miners Manicaland, we are pushing three things: formalisation, safety and environmental responsibility, and value addition. Register your claims, join cooperatives, avoid mercury, rehabilitate your mining sites and work together in processing and marketing minerals for better returns,” he said.
Addressing the workshop as Guest of Honour, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution and Member of Parliament for Mutasa South, Hon. Adv. Misheck Mugadza, challenged young miners to become key drivers of Zimbabwe’s mining industry under Vision 2030.
“It is my great honour and privilege to join you this morning at this important workshop, which brings together young miners, Government institutions, development partners, academia and other key stakeholders committed to transforming Zimbabwe’s mining sector,” he said.
Mugadza said Government wanted young people to move away from informal mining towards organized and sustainable businesses capable of accessing finance, formal markets and legal protection.
“For too long, mining was done informally. We dug today, sold tomorrow and had nothing to show the following month. That must end. His Excellency President Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 sets a clear target of a US$12 billion mining industry, and young people must be at the centre of it,” he said.
He urged miners to formalize their operations, maintain proper financial records, pay taxes, reinvest profits and join cooperatives to improve productivity and access Government support.
“You should mine like a CEO, not like a gambler,” Mugadza said.
The Minister also raised concern over fatalities and environmental degradation associated with unsafe mining practices, urging miners to prioritize occupational safety and environmental rehabilitation.
“We are losing too many young miners to mine collapses, mercury poisoning and accidents. No profit is worth your life. Use protective equipment, adopt safer mining methods and rehabilitate mined areas. A healthy miner is a productive miner,” he said.
Mugadza further encouraged miners to open bank accounts, invest in productive assets, avoid illegal mineral markets and embrace financial discipline to build sustainable businesses.
He pledged continued Government support through the Office of the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution and the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development in promoting youth formalization, training, market access and the fight against illegal mineral trading.
The workshop concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants before Young Miners Foundation Chief Executive Officer Payne Farai Kupfuwa delivered the closing remarks, urging young miners to implement the knowledge gained and work collectively towards building a formal, productive and environmentally responsible mining sector.
The event was attended by traditional leaders representatives from the Zimbabwe Republic Police, officials from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences lecturers, development partners and private sector organizations, reflecting growing collaboration to transform artisanal and small-scale mining into a sustainable business sector in Manicaland.