Zimbabwe’s gold deliveries rebounded strongly in April,
rising 16.5 percent month-on-month to 3.32 tonnes, according to latest
figures from Fidelity Gold Refinery (Fidelity).
The recovery was largely powered by artisanal and small-scale miners, who delivered a more than 20 percent increase to 2,11 tonnes during the month from the 1,74 tonnes recorded in March.
Large-scale producers also posted modest growth, with deliveries climbing to 1,21 tonnes from 1,10 tonnes in the prior month.
The improved April performance comes as Fidelity remains confident Zimbabwe can meet its ambitious 50-tonne gold production target for 2026, building on the record 46,7 tonnes achieved last year.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee recently, Fidelity general manager Peter Magaramombe expressed confidence that the target is within reach, citing supportive government policies and ongoing expansion initiatives within the sector.
“Last year we achieved 46,7 tonnes, and for this year we are targeting 50 tonnes,” he said.
“We are confident of reaching that goal because of the strategies we have put in place, coupled with the support we continue to receive from government through favourable policies.”
As part of efforts to boost official gold deliveries, Fidelity plans to expand its footprint by opening three additional gold sales centres, as well as new gold buying centres in Inyathi, Bubi and Chimanimani, aimed at improving accessibility for miners, particularly in remote areas.
Small-scale and artisanal miners are expected to remain central to the growth strategy.
Fidelity says more than 1 000 miners have already benefited from the Gold Development Initiative Fund, a financing programme designed to help operators acquire equipment and improve output.
Magaramombe said many small-scale miners have untapped production potential but are constrained by limited access to machinery and capital.
Since the funding initiative was introduced in 2016, Fidelity says the programme has contributed to steady improvements in deliveries.
The positive April figures follow a mixed first quarter, during which gold output rose 8,3 percent year-on-year to 9,31 tonnes.
However, March production fell sharply after the introduction of a 10 percent ZiG retention policy in late February, which raised concerns among producers.
Despite optimism over the sector’s prospects, industry observers continue to warn about the risks posed by informal mining activity, particularly the potential for gold leakages through unregulated channels.
Zimbabwe’s gold industry achieved a historic milestone in 2025, with total production reaching 46,73 tonnes, a 28 percent increase from 36,48 tonnes in 2024, supported by firm global bullion prices and policy incentives.