By Staff Reporter
For much of the past decade, Zimbabwe’s gold mining sector has been defined by paradox — immense mineral wealth alongside deep community mistrust, environmental concerns and contested ownership structures.
In the heart of Penhalonga, a historic gold-mining settlement on the outskirts of Mutare, lies Redwing Mine, a gold-rich site that has been the focal point of controversy, development and tensions that have played out publicly and at times controversially.
Yet amid scrutiny and scepticism, Better Brands Mining Limited is increasingly positioning itself as a test case for whether community-centred mining can coexist with commercial extraction in Zimbabwe’s evolving minerals economy.
Better Brands Mining Limited, owned by Mabvuku-Tafara MP Scott Sakupwanya, has been at the forefront of gold mining activities in the area, sparking both praise and criticism from local residents and environmental watchdogs.
Its presence has attracted both criticism and cautious praise, reflecting broader national debates about artisanal mining, environmental management and corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Early perceptions of Better Brands were shaped by allegations of unsafe mining practices, environmental degradation and opaque operations — concerns echoed by civil society groups and environmental watchdogs.
Others hail the company as a champion of development in Mutasa district.
While some of these allegations were later challenged or contextualised by regulators, they underscored a deeper issue: the historical exclusion of communities from decision-making in extractive industries.
Despite some allegations being unfounded, Better Brands company has made significant strides in adhering to corporate social responsibility (CSR) principles, contributing to the growth of local communities.
Over the past two years, however, the company has recalibrated its approach.
“We are seeing development, even if it has not always been in the headlines,” said Clinton Masanga, director of the Penhalonga Youth Development Trust (PYDT). “There is now engagement, planning and visible infrastructure improvement.”
A scathing critique from a local resident painted a dire picture of Better Brands Mining Limited’s operations in Penhalonga.
The company’s CSR programmes have made a tangible impact on Penhalonga residents.
Locals heaped praises on Better Brands for its efforts in driving development, from infrastructure projects to supporting local initiatives.
One such intervention was the reconstruction of the St Augustine turn-off bridge, a critical piece of local infrastructure that had collapsed and disrupted transport and economic activity. Masanga said the project was facilitated through collaboration between the company, local leadership and the Minister of State for Manicaland, who also serves as area Member of Parliament.
“We had challenges constructing the bridge, but the Minister of State for Manicaland, who is also our Member of Parliament roped in Better Brands Company to assist in the completion of St. Augustine turn-off bridge after it had collapsed.,” Masanga said.
Across Southern Africa, mining companies are increasingly under pressure to demonstrate that CSR is not a public relations exercise, but an integral part of business sustainability.
In Zimbabwe, where mining contributes more than 60 percent of export earnings, this shift is particularly significant.
Better Brands’ recent CSR initiatives — from infrastructure rehabilitation to community consultations on land use — reflect this broader regional trend.
Residents say the company now participates in structured platforms involving miners, local authorities and community representatives.
“We have done meetings with Better Brands Limited trying to solve issues that have been rearing their ugly heads in the community.”
“There is a picture we have been seeing as a community, maybe the approach they used when they began operations in Penhalonga was ill-advised but seeing them in this organised and structured mining residents are applauding them.”
With the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) overseeing its operations, the company is upholding stringent environmental standards.
“There was a bad start with some mining companies here, but things have improved,” said Weston Makoni, chairperson of the Penhalonga Residents Association. “We are seeing dialogue, meetings and a willingness to listen.”
Makoni added that transparency has been key to rebuilding trust.
He praised Better Brands for its newfound willingness to engage with the community, citing regular meetings between company officials and local stakeholders to discuss projects and initiatives.
Regular engagements between the company and residents have helped clarify which areas are designated for mining and which remain reserved for agriculture — a crucial issue in Penhalonga, where subsistence farming remains a primary livelihood.
“Better Brands has had meetings with residents in terms of identifying areas that will be set aside for mining because you will realise that Penhalonga is more of a farming area. Better Brands are really doing their best on developing Penhalonga.”
The Environmental Management Agency (EMA) continues to oversee mining operations in the area, enforcing environmental compliance standards. While environmental concerns persist — as they do across most mining zones in the region — regulators say improved coordination between miners and authorities has reduced unregulated activity.
A local resident, Shadreck Musamba, said the community increasingly views mining as an economic reality that must be managed rather than resisted.
“The world is changing. We no longer have industries in our cities,” Musamba said. “Mining is one of the ways communities like ours can participate in the economy — if it is done responsibly.”
This increased transparency and communication has helped to build trust and foster a sense of cooperation between the company and the community.
Better Brands’ experience in Penhalonga illustrates both the risks and opportunities of this model.
Their story is neither one of unqualified success nor irredeemable failure. It is, rather, a case study in transition — from extractive dominance to negotiated coexistence.
As the company forges ahead it will be interesting to see how it navigates these complexities while continuing to contribute to the local community.
In Penhalonga, residents are watching closely. Progress, they say, must remain visible, measurable and sustained.
Analysts say mining companies that fail to secure community buy-in face operational disruptions, reputational damage and regulatory pushback.
Across Southern Africa, countries such as Ghana, Zambia and Tanzania have intensified community-development obligations for mining firms. Zimbabwe’s approach remains less prescriptive but increasingly guided by policy emphasis on devolution, local beneficiation and inclusive growth.
Zimbabwe continues to expand gold output — which according to Fidelity Gold Refinery (FGR), rose to an all-time high of about 46.7 tonnes in 2025, up from 36.48 tonnes in 2024 — the sector’s future may depend less on geology and more on governance.
This growth, is driven by strong global prices, supportive policy, and increased deliveries from artisanal and small-scale miners.
