The Role of Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining in Zimbabwe’s Economic Transformative Agenda

The extractive industry has become one of the major drivers of Zimbabwe’s economy, both at the micro and macro-levels. In the face of continued economic deterioration, rising levels of unemployment and poverty, artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), has provided one of the few opportunities for survival and income generation. The research is mainly qualitative in nature as it sought to explore on the phenomenon of artisanal gold mining with a special focus on its ability to directly and /or indirectly transform the economic well-being of those involved in the industry. The major finding of the study was that, indeed, artisanal and small-scale gold mining has contributed significantly to the growth of the mining industry in Zimbabwe while also sustaining the livelihoods of the majority of the poor who depend on the sector for their well-being. However, patronage politics in the form of elite accumulation, leakages along the mineral supply value chain as well as the informal and illegal nature of most of the activities have compromised the viability and sustainability of the sector. The study, therefore, recommends that the proper regulation, policing and formalisation of the sector should be prioritised to maximise the gains that can be realised from it.