By Dickson Bandera
Artisanal miners in Shurugwi received a major boost on Tuesday following the commissioning of a US$300,000 gold milling and processing centre in the Hwandara community — a landmark initiative that underscores the government’s and private sector’s shared commitment to community empowerment and economic transformation in this mineral-rich district.
The state-of-the-art facility is expected to benefit over 5,000 people, offering artisanal and small-scale miners fair, affordable, and easily accessible gold processing services within their locality.
Funded by Cheng-Xi Chengetai Investments, the Shurugwi Community Empowerment Trust Gold Milling and Processing Centre stands as a game-changer in the region’s mining landscape and a shining example of corporate social responsibility in action.
The centre boasts three round mills, a jaw crusher, three hammer mills, water reservoirs, a solar power system, an administration office block, and supporting infrastructure such as boreholes and ablution facilities.
The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Midlands Province, Hon. Owen Ncube, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering small-scale miners — particularly youth and women — through initiatives aligned with the National Devolution Agenda and Vision 2030.
“This transformational event represents yet another milestone in community empowerment initiated by the Second Republic. It comes at a time when the nation celebrates the leadership of His Excellency, the President of the Republic,” said Minister Ncube.
He added that the facility reflects the Second Republic’s efforts to formalize the informal mining sector and promote inclusive growth:
“The Shurugwi Community Empowerment Trust Gold Milling and Processing Centre aligns with the Second Republic’s drive to empower youth and small-scale miners to contribute meaningfully to the mining sector, which underpins 36 percent of the Midlands provincial GDP. This centre provides accessible, affordable, and efficient milling services to miners who have long suffered from exorbitant processing fees.”
Minister Ncube commended Chengetai Investments for its proactive corporate social investment, urging other companies to follow its example:
“I therefore urge other corporates to emulate this important gesture and join the Second Republic’s winning team, led by the President of the Republic, Cde Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, as we march towards the attainment of Vision 2030,” he said.
Chengetai Investments General Manager, Mr. Simon Karimanzira, explained the motivation behind the project, emphasizing fairness and empowerment for small-scale miners:
“This milling centre is designed to ensure that our small-scale miners have fair and affordable access to mining facilities. Too often, miners are exploited by unscrupulous millers who charge exorbitant fees, leaving them in debt after all their hard work,” he said.
He added that the facility seeks to protect miners’ interests and ensure they gain full value from their labour:
“Mining is a demanding and extractive process. After investing time and effort in extracting ores, miners should not be left with nothing because of unfair milling costs. Our goal is to ensure that small-scale miners achieve genuine empowerment — where they retain a surplus, not a deficit, from their product.
“This is the primary purpose of constructing this milling centre — to guarantee miners access to affordable milling services, adequate workspace, and continuous operational support for sustainable growth,” he added.
For artisanal miners and youth groups in Hwandara, this development brings access to safe, regulated, and efficient gold processing, marking a vital step towards formalizing small-scale mining operations and expanding income-generating opportunities for local communities.
