Zimbabwe has announced an ambitious plan to reduce mercury use in its gold mining sector by 4.85 tonnes over the next five years, as part of a nationwide environmental and public health initiative.
The target is set under the planetGOLD Zimbabwe project, a five-year program supported by the Global Environment Facility and led by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, with technical execution by the organization IMPACT.
planetGOLD Zimbabwe aims to reduce mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), the largest source of mercury pollution globally, while improving the livelihoods and safety of mining communities.
Zimbabwe currently releases an estimated 24 tonnes of mercury each year from ASGM activities, contributing significantly to environmental degradation and public health risks.
The project also seeks to rehabilitate 76,000 hectares of degraded land over the same five-year period, part of a broader push to restore ecosystems damaged by years of unsafe mining practices.
Speaking at the planetGOLD Zimbabwe annual stakeholder conference in Harare, Environment, Climate and Wildlife Permanent Secretary Tadeous Chifamba reaffirmed the government’s commitment to cleaner mining methods.
He said lessons from the ongoing project would inform Zimbabwe’s review of its National Action Plan under the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
“The government of Zimbabwe is fully committed to implementing the National Action Plan, which seeks to eliminate mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining,” Chifamba said.
He added that the initiative is more than a regulatory requirement, describing it as a national commitment to safeguard miners’ health, protect communities, and preserve ecosystems for future generations.
Mines and Mining Development Chief Engineer Michael Munodawafa highlighted the role of the planetGOLD project in advancing responsible mining.
He said the project supports miners in adopting mercury-free technologies, improving safety, and gaining access to fair markets and financing opportunities.
Munodawafa described the initiative as the central pillar of Zimbabwe’s mercury elimination strategy, noting its potential to transform the ASGM sector into a more formal and sustainable industry.
ASGM activities are the world’s largest source of mercury emissions, releasing about 838 tonnes annually, according to UNEP data.
The situation in Zimbabwe reflects broader regional trends, where artisanal miners rely heavily on mercury to extract gold from ore, often at the expense of human health and the environment.
Mercury exposure has been linked to severe health effects, including neurological and kidney damage, particularly among women and children in mining communities.
Zimbabwe’s National Action Plan, published in 2019, outlines strategies for reducing mercury emissions through enhanced regulation, training, and adoption of alternative gold extraction methods.
The plan emphasizes collaboration among government agencies, ASGM associations, and civil society to promote safer and more environmentally responsible mining practices.
The planetGOLD Zimbabwe project supports over 7,500 miners, both men and women, across 11 districts, combining environmental reform with social and economic empowerment.
Through training and financial inclusion programs, the project helps miners transition to mercury-free processing technologies such as gravity concentration and cyanidation under controlled conditions.
Officials say the initiative also aims to integrate miners into traceable and formal gold supply chains, helping Zimbabwe increase transparency and compliance with international gold trade standards.
According to The Africa Standard, the program’s holistic approach links environmental conservation with poverty reduction, empowering miners to earn sustainable livelihoods without harming the planet.
Environmental analysts have praised Zimbabwe’s approach, describing it as one of the most progressive mercury-reduction efforts in sub-Saharan Africa.
As the country works toward its five-year goals, the government has pledged to continue strengthening partnerships with international donors, local communities, and environmental groups to ensure lasting impact.
If successful, the initiative could position Zimbabwe as a regional model for sustainable gold mining, balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship and community well-being.
