‘On hollow ground: Zimbabwean mining town on the brink of collapse’ 24 March 2026

Shurugwi, a mining town in central Zimbabwe, sits on one of the world’s richest seams of mineral wealth. As a result, the ground beneath the town is a maze of tunnels after decades of mining, and uncontrolled digging, often with political protection, continues. This has raised fears that the town is on the brink of collapsing. The danger lies not just beneath the surface. Unregulated mining has also fuelled a rise in silicosis, an incurable lung disease caused by silica dust…Much of the vast network of tunnels beneath Shurugwi dates back to operations by ferrochrome producer Zimasco Pvt Limited, which has mined the area since 1926. Zimasco, now owned by Chinese state conglomerate Sinosteel Corporation, still operates in the area.

…Residents and civic leaders are frustrated over the government’s inaction on long-standing complaints, particularly about Chenxi. Chenxi has cleared large tracts of land for gold mining at the Boterekwa Wolfshall Pass, which is the town’s famous natural attraction, and has been blasting near residential areas. Residents and civic leaders say the company’s political connections enables it to operate with impunity…He said the residents’ association had asked Chenxi to reduce the frequency and depth of blasting, but it continued. Constant blasting had sharply reduced property values across Shurugwi, he said. The association’s spokesperson, Pardon Machocho, described the town as “a ticking time bomb”.

…Chenxi director Simon Karimanzira said claims that the company’s blasting operations were damaging homes were being exaggerated by “enemies of progress”. He acknowledged that residents had complained about blasting but said some of the explosions blamed on Chenxi were carried out by other mining companies. Zimasco spokesperson Margaret Mukumbi declined to comment on allegations that the company had not shared maps of its underground tunnels. She said company manager, Pindukayi Musarandega, would respond, but no comment was provided. Shurugwi’s current mayor, Fanuel Machiya, also declined to comment despite having requested written questions. Ministry of Mines Midlands provincial director John Makandwa declined to comment.