Mberengwa miner vows to transform small-scale mining sector in Midlands

By Simon MasoreMBERENGWA – A seasoned small-scale gold miner in Mberengwa, David Kilpin, who operates at Jumbo 91 and 93 blocks in Village 5 under Chief Bvute, says he was determined to change the socio-economic landscape of the mineral-rich district.Speaking to journalists during a tour of his mining operations near Mberengwa Business Centre, Kilpin said he was committed to good mining practices that protect the environment. He said he was embarking on an ambitious programme to support the growth of small-scale gold mining while empowering local communities and contributing to national development in line with Vision 2030. “We have been here in Village 5 for the last thirteen years. The uniqueness of this mine is its proximity to the community, and we have made a positive impact through job creation. We have employed over 120 people,” said Kilpin.”We believe we have a good relationship with the local community. To avoid conflicts, we are putting up fencing as guided by EMA,” he added.Contrary to complains by some villagers, he showed reporters Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) as proof that his operations were not harmful to the environment.The miner revealed that his company was raising resources to build a primary school, showing a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility.”We have engaged the local community to build a school on one of my claims. The primary school will accommodate about 450 pupils to meet community needs. A ground-breaking ceremony is planned for May this year. Education is the first step that shapes the younger generation,” said Kilpin.His mining activities have also benefited smallholder farmers in Village 5, who use water from one of his shafts for irrigation and domestic purposes.”We have a shaft that pumps water even during the dry season. We drink the water ourselves and also share it with community members to irrigate their gardens. The water is safe for consumption,” he said.He said his long-term goal was to revolutionize small-scale mining in the Midlands and across the country by promoting environmentally friendly practices, so that future generations inherit land that is not degraded.He also plans to help other small-scale miners improve efficiency using modern technology and encourage them to mine responsibly and give back to their communities.”We are working very well with the local community. We have completed the reclamation of pits created during mining and are fencing off the entire mining area to keep livestock out. All these activities are approved by EMA,” said Kilpin.Mberengwa District Development Coordinator Vafios Hlabati confirmed that Kilpin’s mining company was following environmental guidelines.”As government, we have an EIA committee. We visited the site and instructed the miner to fence the area and reclaim the pits. There is no water contamination at Jumbo mine, and people should not panic because we are closely monitoring the situation,” said Hlabati.Responsible mining is now a mandatory standard in Zimbabwe. The government launched the Responsible Mining Initiative Part 2 in late 2025 to tighten environmental regulations, enforce rehabilitation, and crack down on rogue operators. Kilpin said he is committed to helping the government achieve the objectives of that initiative.