Betterbrands Drives Zimbabwe Closer to 40-Tonne Gold Target
BETTERBRANDS Pvt Ltd has so far delivered 18.8 tonnes of gold to Fidelity Gold Refiners (FGR), cementing its role as the country’s leading small-scale producer as government incentives continue to lift formal deliveries nationwide.
The gains come as authorities intensify efforts to encourage artisanal miners to sell directly to FGR and curb rampant smuggling.
Addressing the planetGOLD Zimbabwe Annual Stakeholders Conference 2025, FGR senior executive Francis Maidza said small-scale and artisanal miners have contributed 21.5 tonnes toward the national target of 40 tonnes.
“To date, 21.5 tonnes of gold has been delivered to us by small-scale and artisanal miners,” Maidza said. The conference ran under the theme: “Building Together for a Sustainable ASGM Sector.”
Official figures show that gold deliveries surged 37% in the first nine months of the year to 32.98 tonnes, up from 24.2 tonnes during the same period last year — keeping Zimbabwe firmly on track to meet its output goal.
Documents seen by this publication indicate that Betterbrands — owned by legislator Pedzai Scott Sakupwanya — accounts for the bulk of ASM deliveries. Its current tally is valued at more than US$1.9 billion.
Over the past four years, the company has delivered nearly 60 tonnes into the formal system:
- 2021: 14 tonnes
- 2022: 18 tonnes
- 2023: 12 tonnes
- 2024: 15 tonnes
At prevailing prices, that output represents close to US$6 billion in export earnings.
A Betterbrands spokesperson credited government incentives for helping increase formal output and align producers with President Mnangagwa’s economic recovery strategy.
“We commend government for the incentives, which are helping reduce smuggling and increase foreign currency inflows,” the official said. “Given our progress since 2021, we expect to exceed 20 tonnes this year.”
Last year, artisanal and small-scale miners delivered 23.7 tonnes — almost double the 12.7 tonnes produced by large-scale operators — contributing nearly two-thirds of Zimbabwe’s total 36.4-tonne output.
Industry analysts say the figures highlight the sector’s rising importance in sustaining export earnings and broader economic stability.
