Resource information
Illicit financial flows (IFFs)in the artisanal gold mining sector in Zimbabwe are responsible for leakages of an estimated 3 tonnes of gold, valued at approximately USD157 million every month. The artisanal gold sector has transformed from being a traditional livelihoods option for local families to an anchor of gold smuggling cartels that are robbing the country of the precious metal. Artisanal mining has also spread its tentacles from alluvial gold deposits along rivers and dry riverbeds to large scale disused mines that are now patronized by ruling party officials. The capture of large-scale mines by ruling party officials who employ artisanal miners is contributing to both an increase in gold smuggling and mine accidents that have claimed at least 200 lives in the past 3 years.