This report provides a rapid assessment of the gold supply chains, financial flows, and power dynamics of the Zimbabwe ASGM sector and related gold trade, and a baseline for this type of analysis. Research consisted of a desk review and a limited number of key informant interviews conducted in Zimbabwe by the Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA) in Harare and the Mutare district of Manicaland province in December 2017.

Interviews were conducted with small number of key informants from various government bodies, including the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development (MMMD) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), as well as civil society organisations active in the sector, and private sector actors directly engaged in ASGM and the related gold trade.

Of particular, note, the 2015 Pact report A Golden Opportunity: Scoping Study of Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining in Zimbabwe played an important role in informing this report. Pact used a mix of qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis in the Kadoma and Shurugwi districts in the Mashonaland West and Midlands provinces respectively to inform the report.