Three Chinese Nationals Fined US$300 Each For Illegal Alluvial Mining In Zimbabwe

Four people, including three Chinese nationals, have been fined US$300 each or face six months’ imprisonment in default of payment by the Chinhoyi Magistrates’ Court for illegal alluvial mining near the Angwa River.

Their arrest follows a joint operation by game rangers and the police. On 24 June 2025, rangers patrolling Conduit Green Wildlife Safaris in Karoi discovered illegal mining activities along the river.

The offenders, Thembiniksi Nyoni (46), Li Taisen (30), Wang Jinyan (57) and Xia Lin (42), were advised to cease their operations but ignored the warning.

Police officers returned to the site on 28 July 2025 and found the group continuing their mining activities without a permit.

They were promptly arrested, and investigations revealed that the offenders had been using an excavator to extract alluvial ore, which was heaped along the riverbank.

Police recovered an excavator, two generators, a small forklift, two water pumps, a concrete mixing machine, a wash plant pending installation, and 800 litres of diesel from the site.

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