Zimbabwe has licensed a second gold refinery to handle purchases and processing of the southern African nation’s increasing output of the precious metal.
The refinery, to be located in the country’s second-biggest city Bulawayo, is due to be commissioned next year, according to government officials, who asked not to be identified discussing a confidential matter.
All of Zimbabwe’s gold is currently sold through the state-owned Fidelity Gold Refinery, but that probably won’t be able to handle the country’s production from next year, the officials said. Zimbabwe is targeting output of 50 tons in 2026, up from a record 46.7 tons last year.
The officials declined to name the new refinery’s investors, saying they would only be announced once the facility is commissioned.
A representative of Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Mines declined to comment.
(By Godfrey Marawanyika)
