HARARE — Zimbabwe suspended 161 mining operations and imposed fines totaling $686,540 in 2024 following nationwide inspections that uncovered widespread labor, environmental and safety violations, Parliament has heard.
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development disclosed the figures in a written response presented during Wednesday’s National Assembly proceedings, outlining findings from multi-agency Responsible Mining Audits conducted in 2023 and 2024.
The 2024 audit covered 728 mining sites, exceeding the government’s target of 712.
“The 2024 audit was expanded to 728 sites, exceeding the target of 712. It found that 351 mines had violated the Labour Act, including by failing to pay wages, issue payslips and remit NSSA contributions; 253 operations were fined for environmental breaches, including the unlicensed storage of hazardous substances; and 162 mines had no disaster preparedness plans,” the ministry said.
The inspections also uncovered widespread tax compliance failures.
“Over the two years, more than 300 mines were found not to be registered with ZIMRA or not to be remitting their taxes,” the ministry said.
Other violations included operating without environmental impact assessment certificates, improper waste disposal, unlicensed storage of explosives, failure to provide protective clothing and unsafe mining shafts.
The ministry said small-scale mining operations accounted for most of the violations.
“Large-scale mines were found to be generally compliant because of their structured management systems. Small-scale operations accounted for about 90 per cent of all violations.”
The government confirmed that enforcement action included suspensions, fines and immigration penalties.
“In 2024, 161 mining operations were suspended and fines totalling USD686 540 were imposed,” the ministry said.
“Forty expatriates were penalised in 2024 for immigration violations.”
Mining operations that had failed to register with the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority or remit taxes were referred for further investigation and enforcement.
The ministry said the audits, which involved the Environmental Management Agency, ZIMRA, police, immigration officials and other government departments, were intended to strengthen compliance and curb environmental degradation, illegal mineral movements and illicit financial flows.
The 2023 audit covered 422 mining sites, representing 8.7% of the country’s 4,841 mines at the time.
Following the inspections, authorities recommended stronger mining oversight, annual compliance audits, tighter licensing requirements and improved enforcement capacity.
The ministry also said tax clearance should become a requirement before mining licenses are issued, as part of efforts to improve accountability in the sector.
