Zimasco Closes Chrome Mine

The closure of Peakmine comes just a few years after the company closed Railway Block, another mine in Shurugwi. Peakmine closure will leave Zimasco without any mines in Shurugwi.

According to sources, the company will cease mining at Peakmine in February. South Dyke and Shurugwi division General Manager Brighton Daka could not be reached for comment.

There are fears the closure of the largest employer in the small mining town of Shurugwi might lead to a ghost town. Some of the employees said the closure of the mining town might result in an upsurge of illegal panners around the Mutirikwi area who have been panning for gold.

“Peak mine employed a lot of people and if they close as they told us then we have to look for alternatives to feed and clothe our families, in a country with a high unemployment rate,” said Samuel Muguti, a worker with four school going children. “The only alternative I see at the moment is gold panning.”

Shurugwi Town council said the closure of Peak Mine will lead to the dwindling of their not so good revenue base.