Zuzia Danielski

The planetGOLD Zimbabwe project held its first Annual Stakeholders Conference in Harare from 27–28 October 2025, bringing together government ministries, mining associations, the private sector, development partners, and civil society under one theme: Building Together for a Sustainable ASGM Sector.

Sur le continent africain, la mise en œuvre de la Convention de Minamata et l’interdiction du mercure ont fait basculer le commerce de ce produit chimique dans l’illégalité et exercé une pression à la hausse sur les prix. En réponse à cette situation, des initiatives comme le projet planetGOLD encouragent de meilleures pratiques et des solutions plus sûres pour les négociants ainsi que les exploitantes et exploitants affligés par les contraintes réglementaires et l’amenuisement des profits.

Across Africa, as countries seek to implement their obligations under the Minamata Convention and make mercury illegal, the trade of the chemical has gone underground and also increased prices. This has left an opening for projects like planetGOLD to encourage improved practices and safer alternatives, as miners and traders feel the strain of regulations and declining profit margins.

Zimbabwe’s mining sector stands at a turning point. The new Mines and Minerals Bill 2025 offers a long-overdue update to laws that have guided the industry since 1961. After more than six decades, the country has a chance to align its mining framework with the realities of how gold is produced today.

Zimbabwe’s government is taking action to support a more responsible artisanal gold mining sector, launching a $23.7 million USD project to reduce mercury across mine sites in the country.