Thinking About Mining in Zimbabwe, Read This First

So, you have decided that mining is for you, and you can’t wait to get started.

I know the feeling.

If you are at this stage already, it is unnecessary for me to tell you about the benefits you get from this endeavour.

But what I would advise is that take a minute and read this article. It will highlight some things you need to consider in a mining venture.

Sounds good? Then let’s get started…

You need money to make money

You have probably read somewhere that “mining is a capital-intensive venture, and you need to put up lots of cash on the frontend before reaping any benefits.”

While this is true, in some respects, such advice needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.

The challenge with most of the information about mining is that it is not tailored to our specific situations.

The definition of a small to medium scale mine in Zimbabwe differs greatly from the one used in the USA or Australia.

But you find that this is where most of the information comes from.

While mining requires “some” capital investment, there is no reason you cannot start with a reasonable amount.

I have found that the best way to get your footing when mining in Zimbabwe is to form partnerships with trusted players who are already on the ground.

This way, you will minimise your exposure while learning from those you have gone before you.

No two mines are the same

There is a common misconception made by many small-scale miners in Zimbabwe.

The general belief is that if my neighbour is making money, then it means the place where I am is also profitable.

This is a novice mistake which I have also made.

It was only later that I learnt that there is a lot going on below ground. There are fault lines that can change the grade of your seam/belt within metres.

Forgive me if my glossary is more inclined to chrome mining, but this is where my expertise lies.

While it is a good first step to determine if a place is good for mining, it’s not enough to just look at the neighbours and then mine.

Nothing can take the place of proper prospecting work.

You need to engage the professionals for this exercise, no matter which mineral you are looking at.

Trust me, this will save you many days of anguish and uncertainty in the long run.

Respect the local leadership

Zimbabwe is a country with deep cultural roots. The custodians of the places where minerals lie are, the traditional leaders.

While this is not recognised under the current legislation pertaining to mines and mineral exploitation, you find that your activities will be way easier if you take heed of this advice.

I know that some may think, right now, that I am advocating for traditional rituals before breaking ground on a mine.

THIS IS NOT THE CASE.

But what you need to do is show the people of the area you mine you understand and appreciate that you are benefitting from their land.

Zimbabwean mining might be unique in this way. I will have to do some more research on that.

Or better yet, let me know in the comments section.

Being a Zimbabwean, I understand why this may be necessary, customarily, I also see no reason it should be a challenge for anyone.

It’s a business just like any other

Mining in Zimbabwe is a business just like any other and should be treated as such.

It makes no difference whether you are an artisanal or small-scale miner with nothing but a pick and shovel to your name.

You need to treat mining as a business.

Being a business, it means you need a budget and controls over your expenditure.

You also need to follow the laws and have watertight agreements in place.

This might sound surprising if your mentality is to be an artisanal miner for the rest of your life.

But I intend to change that.

Trust no one and test everything

If you are like me, you can’t help going through tonnes of research before pulling the trigger on a venture.

That’s probably why you are here reading this blog.

While some may point this out as a flaw or indecision, I assure you, it’s not.

In mining, this trait will prove invaluable.

I have discovered that there are a lot of “experts” on mining in Zimbabwe.

Whether you are talking about gold, chrome, platinum, diamonds, you name it; you will never run short of people trying to give you advice.

The most pain-free way to mining success is to align yourself with people who have walked the path you want to take.

But you must also be willing to make your own decisions, and this will only happen if you test everything you have heard.

Don’t just accept what you hear on face value.