Eight Arrested Over Illegal Underground Mining in Harare Residential Suburb

By Southerton Business Times | Harare

Eight men have been arrested after police uncovered an alleged illegal underground mining operation in Marlborough, Harare, where suspects are accused of digging a 10-metre-deep shaft and carrying out blasting activities in the middle of a residential neighbourhood. The discovery has raised serious concerns over the safety of nearby homes, with authorities and residents fearing that years of underground excavations may have compromised the stability of the surrounding area.

According to H-Metro, investigators believe the illegal operation had been running since 2022, with significant quantities of ore allegedly extracted before police moved in on Sunday.

The reported mining activities are said to have taken place beneath or near residential properties, prompting fears that underground blasting and excavation could have weakened the ground and increased the risk of structural damage. The incident has reignited debate over the growing prevalence of illegal mining in Zimbabwe, particularly in areas not designated for mineral extraction. Authorities are expected to assess whether nearby homes and infrastructure have been affected by the underground workings.

Speaking during the opening of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development's 2026 Mid-Term Performance Review and Second Half Reset Workshop in Kadoma, Mines and Mining Development Minister Polite Kambamura said the Government does not authorise mining activities in urban residential areas.

He said authorities had observed a worrying increase in clandestine mining operations being conducted from private homes, with some individuals allegedly drilling and using explosives in populated neighbourhoods.

"We have noted cases where people are carrying out mining activities from residential properties, including drilling and blasting, causing environmental degradation and endangering communities," Kambamura said.

The minister called for stronger collaboration between law enforcement agencies, local authorities and mining regulators to identify and shut down illegal mining operations before they pose greater risks to public safety.

Kambamura said illegal mining continues to claim lives, damage the environment and destroy property, underscoring the need for tougher enforcement. He cited the recent Penhalonga mine shaft collapse in Manicaland, where eight illegal miners lost their lives after an underground tunnel caved in. Authorities said the miners had allegedly been accessing concealed tunnels through a makeshift tuckshop built to disguise the operation. The Government has in recent months intensified efforts to curb illegal mining, including banning mining and blasting activities at heritage sites and increasing inspections in high-risk areas.

Despite the challenges posed by illegal mining, Zimbabwe's mining industry continues to be a major contributor to the national economy. Kambamura said the sector generated approximately US$5.73 billion in mineral export earnings during the first half of 2026. Of that amount, around US$2.532 billion was marketed through the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ), while gold exports accounted for approximately US$3.2 billion. The minister said Government remains committed to promoting responsible and legally compliant mining practices while protecting communities and the environment from the dangers associated with illegal mining.

Illegal mining in Marlborough Harare