Mapakame Lands Mine Managers’ Presidency

Shamva Mine’s Gift Mapakame has been elected AMMZ president, leading a new presidium focused on safety, professional excellence and modernised mining standards across Zimbabwe through 2027 (image source)

Shamva Mine general manager Gift Mapakame has been elected president of the Association of Mine Managers of Zimbabwe (AMMZ), taking over from Abel Makura and leading a refreshed presidium and council through 2027 in a move seen as pivotal for operational standards and safety culture across the sector. AMMZ, an affiliate of the Chamber of Mines of Zimbabwe formed in 1972, serves as a platform for professional practice and knowledge exchange across mining disciplines, including survey, geology and metallurgy.

The new presidium positions Mapakame at the helm, deputised by RZM Murowa’s George Wayeni, with council members spanning operations in Zimbabwe and South Africa, including Mototolo Mine’s Makura, Acol Chemicals’ Ray Chiridza, Pan African’s Lewis Munyoro, Kuvimba Mining House’s Eddington Vere and Vision’s Larnston Gowera, among others. The broad-based council composition reflects the industry’s regional linkages and the need for harmonised practices at a time of evolving safety, productivity and ESG commitments.

“We are ready to serve and raise the bar for mine management in Zimbabwe. Our focus is operational excellence, safety and talent development,” Mapakame said at the AMMZ Conference and AGM. Industry observers note that AMMZ’s mandate to advance the science and practice of mining and allied disciplines gives the presidium leverage to promote standardised training, incident reporting and continuous improvement—directly supporting investor confidence and workforce well-being.

With Zimbabwe’s gold, lithium and base metals portfolios expanding, the presidency comes with expectations to deepen collaboration between operators, regulators and communities, particularly in high-growth districts and legacy operations seeking modernisation. “Professional standards are the backbone of safe, productive mines. Zimbabwe’s competitiveness depends on disciplined management,” a senior AMMZ member noted at the AGM.

AMMZ’s continuity from the Makura-led team to Mapakame’s presidium ensures momentum on technical dialogues and good-practice dissemination while adding fresh leadership to address 2025–2027 priorities in workforce skills, digital adoption and cross-site benchmarking. The council’s mix of processing, underground and open-pit expertise positions AMMZ to convene pragmatic solutions to recurring challenges such as ore dilution, equipment availability and energy reliability, all of which affect unit costs and safety outcomes.

Industry insiders argue that Mapakame’s election anchors AMMZ’s agenda around professional excellence, safety leadership and skills development—key pillars for sustaining Zimbabwe’s mining growth trajectory. “The council’s diversity from major producers to chemicals and services gives us the practical range to tackle real mine-site issues,” one insider said at the conference.