Mining | Who's Who Introduction | Leading Mines

Traces of quartz mining in Zimbabwe go back to ancient times, and it may have been one of the earliest sources of gold in Africa, even for the Egyptians 3000 years ago. Informal alluvial mining continues at many locations. In recent years Zimbabwe has been producing between 20-30 tonnes (0.64 - 0.96 million oz) annually, much of it from relatively small operations. The largest formal mine is Lonmin's Independence Gold producing roughly 5.5 tonnes (0.18 million oz) annually, followed by Ashanti's Freda-Rebecca at 3.5 tonnes (0.11 million oz). Rio Tinto operates the Renco and Patchway underground mines and the Cam tailings retreatment plant with a total output of 2.2 tonnes (0.07 million oz). Canada's Kinross Gold has been getting around one tonne (0.03 million oz) at Blanket, mainly from tailings of that mine and neighbouring old mines. Delta Gold from Australia opened a heap-leach operation at Eureka in December 1999, but closed it in June 2000, because of the deteriorating political situation in the country. The mining industry has been severely affected by this deterioration. Compounding the political problems in the country, the economic crisis which started to develop in 1999, deepened considerably during the next two years. Upward spiralling operating costs compounded by shortages of power, fuel and mining supplies resulted in a number of mine closures during 2001, and the immediate outlook is for further declines in production. According to GFMS overall production in 2001 stood at 22 tonnes (0.71 million oz), a decline of 11% year on year. Zimbabwe has now dropped back to fifth position among African producers.

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (the central bank), which markets the country's gold, has its own refinery, Fidelity Printers & Refiners (Private) Limited, which has good delivery status in London.