Youth Lead the Charge in Zimbabwe’s Chrome Mining: Insights from Chrome Washing Training in Mutorashanga

Chrome Ore mined (image source)

Reporter - Darel Mubu On Friday, 27 June 2025, Zimbabwe’s youth mining movement took a bold step forward at the Village Club in Mutorashanga, where 50 aspiring miners and students gathered for the Fundamentals in Chrome Washing Management Training and Site Visit.

Organized by the Young Miners Foundation (YMF) in collaboration with Ngayin Consultants, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Kumalo, and supported by the Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC), the event attracted participants from Beitbridge, Harare, Mvurwi, Zvishavane, and Chinhoyi, among others.

The training, aimed at promoting professionalization and sustainability in chrome mining, featured a blend of technical lectures and hands-on learning. Metallurgical engineers Eng. Mufudzi Mutambisi and Darel Mumeka Thabo Mubu led sessions on ore properties, chrome plant operations, process optimization, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance.

“This training has opened my eyes to the real business potential of chrome washing,” said Tendai Moyo from Mutorashanga. “I now understand how to optimize operations and run a professional, sustainable mining enterprise.”

Practical Learning: From Classroom to Chrome Fields

A major highlight was the site visit to a ZIMASCO tributary chrome washing plant, where participants observed the James Tables (Zvikanga) in live operation—bridging the gap between theory and practice.

“The site visit was invaluable,” said Rudo Chikomba, a student from Midlands State University. “Seeing the process in action helped me connect what we learned to real-world mining.”

This hands-on exposure empowers young miners to transition from subsistence mining to mechanized and formalized operations—a key goal of the workshop.

Youth Mining and National Development

In attendance were Ms. Bridget Simukai Nyawo of the Zimbabwe Youth Council and Mr. Stewart Chanakira, YMF’s Mashonaland West Regional Director. Their presence emphasized the alignment between youth mining efforts and national policy frameworks such as the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and the National Youth Strategy.

Founded in 2010 in Zvishavane by Farai Payne Kupfuwa, the Young Miners Foundation has grown into a nationwide movement of over 2,500 members. It promotes formalized, responsible, and youth-led small-scale mining through:

• Business training and mentorship

• Access to mining concessions and equipment

• Technical workshops and certification

• Advocacy and partnership building

YMF’s recent acquisition of a 300-hectare chrome concession in Mvurwi stands as a testament to its commitment to scaling up youth-led mining.

“Collaborations like this between YMF, JCI, and the Youth Council are crucial,” said Blessing Nyathi from Beitbridge. “They give us the skills and support needed to evolve from informal miners into real entrepreneurs.”

The Future of Chrome Mining in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s chrome sector continues to be a cornerstone of the economy, with demand driven by ferrochrome and stainless steel markets globally. However, unlocking its full potential depends on empowering the next generation through:

• Training and upskilling

• Mechanization and infrastructure investment

• Supportive mining policies

• Partnerships between youth and large-scale industry players

YMF’s model of community-rooted capacity building is transforming Zimbabwe’s mining narrative—shifting it from survival to strategy, from digging to development.

To build on the momentum, YMF will host its next training session on 26 July 2025 in Mvurwi, ahead of the official opening of the Mvurwi Chrome Washing Plant in August—a flagship project for youth-led industrialization in the mining sector.

About the Author:Darel Mumeka Thabo Mubu is a metallurgical and mining-trained professional and the founder of BlackBull Mining Services, a consultancy dedicated to supporting small-scale miners with plant design, optimization, and project management. He serves as Vice President Business and International for Junior Chamber International Kumalo (JCI) and works closely with organizations like YMF to build youth capacity in Zimbabwe’s mining economy. 📧 Contact: darelmubu@gmail.com