Government has declared a state of disaster to rehabilitate rivers damaged by gold mining — and there’s money to be made for the companies that will be picked to fix them.
Statutory Instrument 91 of 2026 says years of illegal alluvial mining have damaged rivers. “As a result of the need to properly rehabilitate riverine ecosystems throughout Zimbabwe that have been adversely affected by legal and illegal alluvial mining activities, a state of disaster exists throughout Zimbabwe,” the SI says.
Fixing this problem will be profitable for companies that get the job. Contractors hired to do the cleanup work are legally permitted to keep any gold they find during the work. They do not need mining title, and will only need a “Mineral Recovery Permit” and pay royalties.
Statutory Instrument 188 of 2024 bans all alluvial mining. But the new SI effectively exempts contractors doing the “bona fide environmental rehabilitation” from the ban.
“Any minerals recovered by an approved contractor in terms of this declaration shall be reported to the Ministry responsible for mines within seven days of recovery,” the new SI says.
Government has previously granted contracts to Prevail, a company owned by businessman Paul Tungwarara, for the purported “trial” rehabilitation of rivers damaged by alluvial mining.
Under the new SI, contractors will compete for projects through an Expression of Interest process and must prove technical expertise, equipment availability, environmental compliance and financial capacity. The rehabilitation work includes removing silt and debris, restoring riverbanks, replanting vegetation, improving water quality and rebuilding aquatic habitats.
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