GADZEMA, CHEGUTU – In a powerful demonstration of leadership that fused environmental stewardship with economic empowerment, First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa yesterday visited Magaya Mine in Gadzema, where she challenged artisanal and small-scale miners to become custodians of the environment while driving Zimbabwe’s mining-led economic transformation.
The visit, held in partnership with the Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) and Magaya Mining, brought together miners, community leaders, government officials and environmental advocates in a landmark gathering focused on responsible and sustainable mining. The First Lady, who has become a leading voice on environmental conservation and community development, used the occasion to reinforce the message that economic growth and environmental protection must move hand in hand.
Against the backdrop of a mining sector that now contributes the bulk of Zimbabwe’s gold deliveries and supports thousands of livelihoods, Dr Mnangagwa called on miners to adopt practices that preserve the land for future generations. She urged mining communities to embrace land rehabilitation, tree planting and safer mining methods that reduce environmental degradation.
Her visit comes at a time when artisanal and small-scale mining has emerged as a key pillar of Zimbabwe’s economy, contributing significantly to gold production and foreign currency earnings. However, the sector has also faced growing scrutiny over environmental challenges, including land degradation, deforestation and water pollution. The First Lady’s intervention highlighted the need to strike a balance between resource extraction and environmental sustainability.
Addressing miners and community members, Dr Mnangagwa stressed that environmental protection is not solely the responsibility of government but a collective duty that requires the participation of every citizen. She encouraged miners to view environmental conservation not as a burden but as an investment in the future prosperity of their communities.
The event also underscored the Government’s broader vision of formalising artisanal and small-scale mining, improving safety standards and ensuring that mining activities contribute meaningfully to national development. Through awareness campaigns and engagement initiatives such as the one held at Magaya Mine, authorities are seeking to transform the sector into a more organised, productive and environmentally responsible industry.
For the miners gathered at Magaya, the First Lady’s visit was more than a ceremonial occasion. It represented national recognition of the role they play in the country’s economy and a reminder that their work carries responsibilities that extend beyond mineral production. Many participants welcomed the engagement, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen partnerships between communities, government and the mining sector.
As Zimbabwe advances towards Vision 2030, the message delivered at Magaya Mine was clear: the nation’s mineral wealth must be harnessed in a manner that creates jobs, uplifts communities and safeguards the environment. Through her continued advocacy for sustainable development, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa is helping to shape a future where mining success is measured not only by the gold extracted from the ground, but also by the legacy left behind for future generations.
The gathering at Magaya Mine will be remembered as a defining moment in the growing national conversation on responsible mining — a reminder that the true wealth of a nation lies not only beneath its soil, but in its ability to protect and preserve the land that sustains its people.
