- Artisanal miner shot at Mutare gold mine, with police and watchdog giving different accounts.
- Rights group alleges abuse, extortion and repeated violence at the same site.
- Incident adds to growing concern over safety and control in mining areas.
THE CENTRE for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) has condemned the shooting of an artisanal miner at SinoAfrica Huijin Mine in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe, describing it as part of a pattern of violence in the mining sector.
The incident occurred on April 12 at Premier Estate, where an unarmed miner was shot and seriously injured, according to the group.
The organisation said the miner was shot while fleeing after failing to pay money allegedly demanded by security guards.
“The victim was shot and injured from the back, strongly suggesting that he was fleeing and posed no immediate threat,” CNRG said.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed the shooting and gave a different account of events.
Manicaland police spokesperson Wiseman Chinyoka said security guards fired warning shots to disperse a group of suspected illegal miners before the shooting.
He said the guards acted in self-defence.
The rights group disputed this, saying the use of force appeared excessive.
“The priority in such situations must always be apprehension and due process, not the meting out of extrajudicial punishment,” it said.
The group also raised concerns about alleged corruption and abuse at the mine.
It said artisanal miners are often required to pay small amounts, sometimes around $10, to access ore.
Those who fail to pay are allegedly beaten, stoned or assaulted, according to the statement.
The organisation also reported claims of larger extortion demands and threats of violence.
Community members have accused security guards of controlling access to the site and targeting local youth.
The group said this has created fear and tension in surrounding areas.
CNRG said the incident is not isolated and pointed to a history of violence at the same mine.
It said it had recorded three shooting incidents at the site over the past five years.
In April 2025, an artisanal miner was fatally shot at the mine, while another worker died under unclear circumstances earlier that year.
The organisation also linked the case to wider incidents across the country involving shootings of artisanal miners at gold and diamond sites.
These cases have raised concerns about the use of force by private security and weak oversight in the mining sector.
The group further alleged that the mine may be operating without a valid permit, though this has not been confirmed by authorities.
It called for an independent investigation into the shooting and broader operations at the site.
“Zimbabwe’s mineral wealth must not come at the cost of human life,” the organisation said.
Artisanal mining is a key source of income for many people in eastern Zimbabwe, particularly in gold-rich areas around Mutare.
However, the sector is often informal and marked by disputes over access to mining sites.
Security conflicts between miners and operators are common, especially where private guards control access to ore.
