- Another miners’ group wants more time to comply.
- MFED cites survey delays and heavy rains.
- The Aug. 30 deadline remains in place.
PRESSURE is mounting on Zimbabwe’s Mines and Mining Development Ministry to extend an Aug. 30 deadline for mining operators to clear outstanding obligations, with another miners’ group now seeking more time.
Miners for Economic Development (MFED), which represents artisanal and small-scale miners, has asked for a 90-day extension, saying survey backlogs, high costs and prolonged rains have made it difficult for members to comply.
The ministry issued the deadline in a July 10 public notice signed by Permanent Secretary Thomas U. Wushe. It said mining title holders and operators must regularise outstanding obligations by Aug. 30 and warned that failure to comply could lead to forfeiture of mining rights.
MFED National Chairman Danford Suntile said the group supports formalisation but believes miners need more time to complete the process.
“On behalf of Miners For Economic Development, an affiliate representing the interests of artisanal and small-scale miners, we write to respectfully request a 90-day extension of the moratorium regarding the 30 August 2026 deadline for regularising outstanding obligations,” Suntile wrote to Wushe.
A major concern is the requirement for verified survey coordinates, MFED said.
“The cost and availability of licensed surveyors remain prohibitive for many operators currently struggling with working capital,” the association said in its letter, adding that a backlog had left many members without the documents needed to submit regularisation applications.
MFED also blamed prolonged rains for disrupting mining activity and cash flow.
It said heavy rainfall continued into April, leaving some sites inaccessible and flooding pits. Members only resumed normal operations in early May, according to the association.
MFED said the disruption left miners with less money to meet administrative and surveying costs.
The request follows a similar appeal by the Consolidated Small-Scale Miners Association, which has called for a six-month extension. The two requests put pressure on the ministry as it seeks to tighten compliance across the mining sector.
The government’s July notice applies to all holders of mining titles and mining operators, who were directed to visit provincial mining offices to obtain invoices and clarify outstanding obligations.
The regularisation drive is part of wider efforts to improve mining governance and bring operators into compliance with their legal and financial obligations. Government has also identified formalisation and empowerment as one of its strategic priorities for the mining sector.
For small-scale miners, the deadline comes as the government pushes to bring more informal operators into the formal economy.
Miners for Economic Development has previously called for a phased approach to formalisation, with measures including simpler registration, training and environmental compliance. The group has also argued that informal miners need practical support if they are to meet regulatory requirements.
MFED said its proposed 90-day extension would give surveyors time to clear outstanding requests and allow miners to generate income after the rainy season to settle costs.
The association said the extension would also support the government’s formalisation drive without weakening the compliance process.
