ZMF Mobilises Expert Review Team as New Mines Bill Gazetted
n By Kwedu News n nn n The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF), which represents the interests of artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM), is taking active steps to respond to the recently gazetted Mines and Minerals Bill, 2025. n nn n The orga
anostrofy By Kwedu News
The Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF), which represents the interests of artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM), is taking active steps to respond to the recently gazetted Mines and Minerals Bill, 2025.
The organisation is set to host a high-level workshop to assess how the proposed legislation could impact small-scale mining operations.
According to ZMF President Ms. Henrietta Rushwaya, a dedicated group of legal and technical professionals has been assembled to dissect the Bill thoroughly.
Their focus will be on sections that could significantly affect miners working at the grassroots level, who are instrumental to the country’s gold production and economic activity in rural communities.
"First and foremost, I would like to commend the Government of Zimbabwe for gazetting the much-awaited Bill. As the Zimbabwe Miners Federation, we have assembled a technical and legal team which will analyse the Bill in detail.
"This Bill marks a positive step for Zimbabwe's mining sector, but its success hinges on balancing modernisation with inclusivity and access. We urge government to reduce compliance burdens, clarify tiers, and protect small-scale and indigenous interests," said Rushwaya
The workshop aims to bring together a wide range of voices, including policymakers, civil society groups, legal experts, and miners themselves, to develop a unified stance from the ASM sector, which will be submitted during parliamentary consultations.
ZMF’s approach demonstrates a firm commitment to pushing for a mining law that is not only efficient but fair and inclusive for all Zimbabweans.
"Then we must advocate for adjustments to ensure ASM players can operate without being overburdened by red tape," Rushwaya said.
A central concern for ZMF is the Bill’s lack of clear classification between different types of mining operations.
While it simplifies mining title categories overall, it fails to provide specific legal distinctions between artisanal, small-scale, and large-scale miners.
ZMF warns this could result in one-size-fits-all rules that don’t account for operational realities.
New environmental regulations and financial penalties, such as those linked to the Mining Industry Environmental Protection Fund (MIEPF), are also under review.
ZMF says it is concerned that such provisions may not be adapted to the limited capacity of small-scale operators.
Another area of ZMF's focus will be the extent to which the Bill addresses the inclusion of marginalised groups, particularly women, young people and persons with disabilities.
Rushwaya highlighted the importance of implementing measures that promote equitable participation.
"Have these issues been addressed? Gender, youth, people with disabilities, and the farmer-miner land conflicts? These are the realities our miners face daily," she said.
Rushwaya has also called for a legislative process that favours development for all.
"We must ensure that the Mines and Minerals Bill becomes a tool for inclusive development, not exclusion," she said.
She also raised red flags around Clause 31 of the Bill, which restricts Exclusive Prospecting Licences (EPLs) of less than 40 hectares to citizens and permanent residents.
The clause however permits foreign access, if applicants can prove their intention to transition to larger-scale operations.
"Clause 31 says EPLs below 40 hectares are for citizens or permanent residents only, but there is a provision allowing foreigners who prove they will operate beyond small-scale to access the same land. That's a contradiction we need to interrogate," she said.
Rushwaya further criticised the high costs, bureaucratic procedures, and technical difficulties that continue to challenge ASM operators, especially around environmental clearances, site demarcation and inspections.
Among the top matters for ZMF’s technical team is the Bill’s move to streamline mining titles into three main categories.
The organisation said the Bill intends to be supported by a new digital Mining Cadastre Register, which would centralise and modernise how mining rights are administered.
Despite acknowledging the effort to improve efficiency, ZMF said it remains firm in its call to ensure that small-scale miners are not left behind as the industry undergoes regulatory reform.
