Training handbook for artisanal and small-scale miners in Zimbabwe

In support of the Government of Zimbabwe’s objectives, Pact Zimbabwe is implementing the Zimbabwe Accountability and Artisanal Mining Program (ZAAMP) which is working on a pilot project to support the formalization (legalisation and professionalization) of Artisanal and Small-Scale gold mining (ASGM) and trading in Zimbabwe. During ZAAMP Phase II (2015-2016), in collaboration with the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe (COMZ), Pact trained 300 miners at its four project sites on key mining topics. Since 2015, Pact Zimbabwe has piloted trainings to enhance artisanal and small-scale gold miners’ skills in three districts: Gwanda, Kwekwe and Shurugwi. Trainings have covered topics which include; safety and environment management, mining legislation, efficient mining techniques, mercury abatement, child labour, gender equality and mining and financial literacy. These pilot interventions were in response to a growing concern that one of the several key challenges to the formalization of the sector is the low skill levels within the sector. An estimated 70 per cent of the miners in ASM are said to be unskilled.

To ensure trainings are replicable and sustainable beyond the life of ZAAMP, and to build the capacity of local organizations to conduct similar trainings, Pact Zimbabwe consolidated training materials into a Training Handbook. Pact coordinated the development of training manual together with other stakeholders with a keen interest on artisanal and small scale gold mining (ASGM). We acknowledge the assistance of all stakeholders listed in the acknowledgements with special mention of the parent Ministry of Mines and Mining Development. The handbook doubles up as both a facilitator’s guide and manual which the miners can easily refer to. The handbook is a vital tool towards equipping the estimated 500,000 artisanal and small-scale miners with fundamental knowledge on key mining topics. We sincerely hope the handbook will go a long way in professionalising the mining sector.