Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube | Zim GBC News
BULAWAYO – The Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe has called on training institutions, particularly the Zimbabwe School of Mines (ZSM), to lead the charge in professionally training artisanal and small-scale miners, a move aimed at transforming the informal sector into a more efficient and competitive segment of the national mining industry.
The call was made by Chamber of Mines president, Mr. John Musekiwa, during his address as the guest of honour at the ZSM’s 31st graduation ceremony yesterday, where 405 students received their qualifications.
Highlighting the sector’s critical economic role, Mr. Musekiwa stated,
“We are all aware of the importance of small-scale mining for the economy. We are told that the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector contributes over 60 percent to total gold production.” He further noted its significant footprint in chrome ore, semi-precious stones, and tantalite production.
Despite this immense contribution, Mr. Musekiwa pointed out that the sector is held back by significant challenges. “There is a lack of technical skills, capital, financial literacy, and poor record keeping, which are some of the factors inhibiting the growth of the ASM sector,” he explained.
He positioned ZSM as a key player in addressing these gaps, asserting that;
“Graduates from the school can play a critical role in transforming the ASM sector into an efficient and competitive force in the Zimbabwean mining space.” He directly encouraged the new graduates to explore careers in this area, saying,
“I therefore urge you to consider careers in the small-scale mining sector. This can be rewarding and fulfilling, seeing the growth of a mine from a small entity into a well-run, medium to large-scale business.”
The ceremony, held under the theme “Unlocking the Future: Embracing Mining Technologies,” also saw Mr. Musekiwa address the need for the curriculum to evolve with global trends.
“We live in a world of rapid changes to all facets of life. There is therefore scope for the school to consider offering bridging courses to old timers to upgrade their skills and offer them relevant qualifications for jobs of the future,” he said, highlighting the role of AI, automation, and the Internet of Things.
Presenting the institution’s report, ZSM principal Mr. Edwin Gwaze highlighted the school’s sustained growth.
“From 2020 to 2025, ZSM maintained consistently high student attachment rates, averaging above 75 percent and peaking at 93 percent in 2024,” he said. He extended gratitude to the mining industry, stating,
“The ZSM board of management extends its sincere appreciation to the Chamber of Mines Zimbabwe and its member companies for their unwavering commitment to our training mandate by providing industrial attachment opportunities.”
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